By ANDREW CRUM | THE BROWNSVILLE HERALD
PORT ISABEL — Port Isabel and La Feria are both looking to find their identities as they clash in a former district rivalry game.
The Tarpons (1-1) and Lions (1-2) are no longer in the same district, but both are looking to build some momentum before district starts for each team in mid-October in The Brownsville Herald’s Game of the Week at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Week 4 at Tarpon Stadium.
Port Isabel, which competes in District 16-4A, Division II, is still transitioning into a new offensive system and has dealt with some key injuries during the first few weeks of the season.
The Tarpons lost starting quarterback Cesar Aguilera during Week 1. Following a bye in Week 2, backup quarterback Jeremy Martinez went down last week.
“Offensively, we’re coming around,” Port Isabel coach Jaime Infante said. “We’re excited, offensively I thought we looked good last week. We’re going to be rotating a couple of quarterbacks; hopefully we can start where we left off. We’re making a quarterback change for the third time in three weeks … there are some concerns, but we feel we have enough of the offense in where we’ll be able to spread the ball around well enough.”
Junior quarterback Sebastian Martinez looks to get the nod under center.
“I’m proud of the job Sebastian had coming in (against Hidalgo),” Infante said. “He will more than likely be the starter on Friday; he may alternate with a couple other kids. Right now we’re pegging him as the starter, he has had good workouts … I think he has a good grasp of the offense.
“I feel confident we’ll be running some phases of the offense well.”
La Feria, who competes in District 16-4A, Division I, is young and is still trying to figure out some of its starters in key positions, especially on offense.
Sophomore quarterback Dorian Hernandez has been a dual threat and junior running back Darius Hernandez has got the bulk of the carries in the backfield. Senior Julian Trevino is the go-to target of the veteran receiving group.
“We’re more pass heavy, we have a lot of kids returning on the receiving corps,” La Feria coach Oscar Salinas said. “We’ve tried to get balanced … we’re usually a balanced team … that’s where we’re trying to get to. Darius had a good game (last week) and the line is getting better every week.”
Both teams are similar in their offensive production — Port Isabel scores 22 points per game and La Feria averages nearly 23 — so it could come down to which team can be more efficient.
Infante said his team has to cut down on penalties, keep turnovers to a minimum, cut down on mental errors and control the ball on offense to be successful.
“I do see us being productive with Sebastian in there, so I think we’ll be in good shape,” he said. “We’re up for the challenge, it’s next man up and Sebastian will step up and do a good job.”
Salinas said that his team also has to cut down on turnovers to give them a chance to win.
“The biggest thing in our losses is the turnovers … in two losses, I think we have a combined eight turnovers,” he said. “We have to eliminate turnovers, especially against PI at home.”
On the other side of the ball, the Lions need to prevent long plays.
“Our defense is going to have to try to stop their spread offense, try to slow them down,” Salinas said. “Our defense can’t give up big plays … we gave up too many big plays last week.”
The Tarpons’ defense will focus on the La Feria ground attack.
“I think the key to stopping them will be to shut down their run game,” Infante said. “We knew the defense was going to play a big part in the early season … special teams and defense have carried us the last couple of weeks.”
Port Isabel and La Feria have similar offenses, but each is trying to find their identities ahead of district. The Tarpons, who are trying to learn a new offensive system, have lost two quarterbacks in two games. Port Isabel is confident that likely starter Sebastian Martinez can come in and run the offense efficiently and effectively. The Lions are young, especially on offense, and are trying to figure out some starters in some key positions. But with a veteran receiving corps, La Feria has relied on its passing game. This game could be determined by which defense can force the most turnovers and hold the opponent’s offense in check.
PREDICTION: Port Isabel 27, La Feria 24
Thursday’s Game
Non-District
LOS FRESNOS AT McALLEN MEMORIAL
WHEN: 7 p.m., Thursday
WHERE: Veterans Memorial Stadium, McAllen
RECORDS: Los Fresnos (1-1) ; McAllen Memorial (2-1)
GAME NOTES: McAllen Memorial is fresh off a loss. If you’re
Los Fresnos just know that’s bad news. The Mustangs lost in straight weeks in 2016 to Weslaco East and San Benito but then they strung together seven straight wins heading into the postseason. The first win in that streak? A 32-30 Memorial win in Los Fresnos. The Mustangs will hope to recreate the results, maybe in a less stressful affair. … With both teams trying to get a sour taste out of their mouths the edge still goes to the power running game off McAllen Memorial. Campbell Speights is coming off two straight weeks under his 2016 average of 132 yards per game. Memorial’s offense will rely on the run but the win over Weslaco East proved that the team is best when Sean Skaugen is a passing threat. … Los Fresnos comes in with more unknowns than answers. In Week 1 they lost a tight game 24-21 on the road to Edcouch-Elsa. Last week they had they way with McAllen High at home 45-6. This week they’ll be tested again with a powerful team and it remains to be seen if this version of the Falcons is up the test. QB Charles Chapa will be key to keeping Memorial on their toes. He tossed for a TD and ran for another in last week’s win.
PREDICTION: McAllen Memorial 28, Los Fresnos 10
— Nathaniel Mata
Friday’s Games
Non-District
PACE AT LA JOYA PALMVIEW
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: La Joya Stadium, La Joya
RECORDS: Pace (1-1) ; La Joya Palmview: (1-2)
GAME NOTES: La Joya Palmview was only outgained by four
yards in last week’s loss, but the 28-9 score proves the Lobos were never quite in the contest. Oscar Mendoza has been Palmview’s most productive player. The running back has 144 yards and two scores on the year, including a 109-yard performance against Economedes. …The stretch of Edinburg opponents has come to a close and Palmview will look to gain confidence and respect this week. …Pace impressed a lot of folks in their six-point loss to Sharyland Pioneer in Week 2. The Vikings’ turnovers proved costly late as they had rallied from a 34-14 deficit to make it a game in the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the ability to score 24 points and stay with Pioneer feels like a sign of good things
to come. If expectations weren’t high at the beginning of the season they are definitely on the rise with former defensive coordinator Daniel Pardo at the helm. Senior quarterback Randy Aguilar has shown impressive leadership and a much improved passing ability. He passed for 197 yards and two touchdowns last week and perhaps keeping the ball in the air is the answer to avoiding turnovers.
PREDICTION: Pace 21, La Joya Palmview 17
— Nathaniel Mata
ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY AT RAYMONDVILLE
WHEN: 7:30 p.m., Friday
WHERE: Burnett Stadium, Raymondville
RECORDS: St. Joseph (1-2); Raymondville (3-0)
GAME NOTES: The Raymondville Bearkats continued their winning ways after defeating Lyford in the Willacy County Cotton Bowl 35-20. After defeating the La Feria Lions 22-12 in Week 1, the Bearkats followed it up with another tough 10-7 victory over Grulla (week 2) before rallying back for their third consecutive win of the early season. However, Raymondville’s defense will be tested this week when the Bearkats host a high-octane Bloodhound offense that have managed to put up 128 point in their past three games. … Do not be fooled by the Bloodhounds’ 1-2 record, with quarterback Kai Money back for his senior season the game could come down to the last possession of the game. This season, Money has bolstered some impressive stats completing 51-of-86 for 883 yards passing with 10 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Most going to his trio of receivers Pablo Zolezzi (281 yards receiving), Keaton Cackley (261 receiving yards) and Andres Martinez (218 yards receiving). On the ground, Money has also found success rushing for 349 yards and two TDs on 43 carries. … Offensively, for the Bearkats, quarterback Daniel Gutierrez has led the team with 375 passing yards and 290 rushing yards on 41 carries. Another player that has caught the eye of opposing defenses is Marcus Capetillo who has carried the ball 41 times for 166 yards.
PREDICTION: Raymondville, 42-35
— Freddy Gonzalez