BROWNSVILLE — It was a night to remember for Brownsville Veterans Memorial senior Bryan Chavez as the fullback punched in five rushing touchdowns in a home win Friday.
The Chargers (2-1) picked up the 41-14 non-district victory over the Port Isabel Tarpons (3-1).
“It is a good win, great football program and team over there,” Chargers head coach Kelley Lee said. “I thought we came out, executed and controlled the game. That was important, and I am really proud of my coaches and the players for the effort they put in this week. This was a result of great preparation.”
Chavez scored his final touchdown on the night from 5 yards. The Chargers capitalized on five Tarpons turnovers, and Chavez the main benefactor of the turnovers.
“It was pretty amazing,” Chavez said. “All thanks to the offense for blocking. We are doing pretty good, just got to practice hard every day. That is where it starts.”
Port Isabel found hope going into the locker room when freshman Luis Ramos took a 65-yard sweep to the house. Ramos burst through the hole and cut it back, finding room down the opposite sideline.
The Tarpons came out in the second half and cut the Brownsville Veterans lead to 27-14 when Tristian Garcia scored from 1 yard.
“I am really proud of my little team,” Tarpons coach Tony Villarreal said. “We are a small 4A, they are a large 5A and a hiccup away from being 6A. There was a lot of good things we took away from the game, but we had five turnovers. Every single time we had one, they scored. I thought we played well. You just cannot make that many mistakes.”
The triple-option had the Tarpons on their heels most of the night. Chavez capped off a great drive with a 5-yard run, putting the Chargers up 27-0.
Chavez’s second and third touchdowns were set up because of Port Isabel miscues. A bad snap on a punt and a fumble gave the Chargers great starting field position, inside the Tarpons’ red zone. Chavez punched his third touchdown from 14 yards, and his second was a 4-yard run.
Safety Gibert Trillo gave the Chargers good field position when he returned the opening kickoff to his own 43-yard line. The Chargers went 57 yards with ease and capped it off with Chavez’s 5-yard run.