By CLAIRE CRUZ, Staff Writer
Last season, the Port Isabel Tarpons played only one game before the COVID-19 pandemic ended their season.
They came back with a vengeance this year, with senior Gilbert Medina leading the way.
Medina thrived as the go-to running back in Port Isabel’s efficient offense, accumulating 1,541 yards and 18 touchdowns rushing. He added two more scores with 252 receiving yards, and took two kickoff returns to the house.
The speedy and versatile athlete was also stout in the secondary, hauling in six interceptions and two fumble recoveries, and recording 45 tackles.
Medina’s contributions on the field and senior leadership led the Tarpons to an 8-4 season and the second round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs. He is The Brownsville Herald’s 2021 All-Metro Football Most Valuable Player.
“It means a lot because I put a lot of effort in,” Medina said. “Not having a season last year and then this being my first year playing actual running back, I put in a lot of work. … Couldn’t have done it without my team. They were a huge part of my success. They made me look good sometimes.”
There was a lot more on Medina’s plate this season, but with his work ethic and dedication, he didn’t miss a beat juggling the responsibilities. Tarpons coach Tony Villarreal praised Medina’s football knowledge, toughness and selflessness, and credited him for having a key role in the turnaround.
“He’s a special young man,” Villarreal said. “He was the tailback in our offense, (and we played) him at slot receiver, then at J-back, then at halfback. He had the football IQ to match our offense.
“The biggest thing that I respect more than anything was he blocked harder than the two guys next to him,” Villarreal added. “When you have an MVP who blocks, he’s not just getting in the end zone and scoring, he’s a complete football player. And he plays defense. I tip my hat to him.”
Filling so many roles and being the go-to guy meant Medina had to learn every part of the offense. It wasn’t an easy task, but he worked hard and saw himself improve in every facet of the game.
“It was a lot of responsibility. It felt good though,” Medina said. “I had to learn how to be a decoy so I could open up holes for other backs. I had to fake really good. I grew with the way I ran. I was a lot more patient toward the end of the season, stayed behind my blockers, my line.
“I thank (the coaches) for having trust in me on offense,” he continued. “I hadn’t done it before, and I thank them for trusting me to run, catch, switch me to different positions. It was new for me, but I’m glad I finished my senior year as a running back.”
Medina said beating both Rio Hondo and Raymondville, the only other Valley teams in the district, was a highlight of this memorable season. He was proud Port Isabel exceeded expectations and hopes his efforts will inspire future Tarpons.
“People were saying we weren’t going to be good again, and all the seniors, we were hungry this season,” Medina said. “We wanted to get something done. We just worked hard, and it showed everyone what we could do. I hope everybody else practices as hard as I did. People are going to see this and say, “I want to be like him. I want to win that MVP. And it’s good.”
Offensive Player of the Year
Luigi Cristiano
Senior, Brownsville St. Joseph
Cristiano stepped into big shoes when he took the quarterback reins as a freshman, and during the past four seasons, he built his own Bloodhounds legacy.
This season, Cristiano posted eye-popping numbers to lead the Bloodhounds back to the TAPPS Division II playoffs. He set a new school record with 36 passing touchdowns, racking up 3,152 passing yards with only seven interceptions. His high completion rate and continuously impressive performances have earned Cristiano the All-Metro offensive player of the year award.
“I’ve seen people from years past get (this award) from St. Joe, and it motivated me,” Cristiano said. “Throughout the season I was thinking I deserved it, so it’s great to finally have done it. It means a lot.
“It might not seem like a ‘never-give-up’ story, but it kind of is,” he added. “I was never the chosen one. But me sticking with it, me trying to master my skills, it’s a never-give-up story and a hard work story, and I feel like it’s my own story, not anyone else’s.”
Cristiano came into this season knowing he had to top his strong junior season to keep SJA competitive in a tough district. The Bloodhounds didn’t have a workhorse running back like in seasons past, putting more on Cristiano’s plate.
He was comfortable taking on the extra responsibility because he felt he “mastered the playbook” after playing in the system through middle school and high school. Cristiano completed more than 50 percent of his passes and averaged 286.5 passing yards per game in 2021.
“I always had the skill. I felt like this season I was finally unleashed. I was ready to handle that,” Cristiano said. “It wasn’t all me. It was the whole team contributing, the receivers, linemen, running backs catching out of the backfield. It’s just what I needed to do.”
Cristiano said being labeled an underdog fueled him and his team throughout the years. And with plenty of support behind him, he kept the Bloodhounds successful.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank my dad. He always, I wouldn’t say forced, but pushed me to go to everything and give my all,” Cristiano said. “And, of course, coach Tino (Villarreal) because he’s been there all the years and he’s grown to be as close to a family member as you can get. Him and my dad are probably the two biggest influences.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Greg Jones
Senior, Los Fresnos
Jones, a linebacker, has been more than a standout defensive player during his time with the Falcons.
The three-year starter has been called “one of the best to wear the maroon and gold” by the Falcons’ coaching staff. He was the “heart and soul” of a defensive unit that anchored a lot of Los Fresnos’ success in 2021. Jones recorded 88 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one blocked punt in a strong season that earned him the All-Metro defensive player of the year nod.
“I’m extremely grateful. It’s a big award,” Jones said. “I want to thank my coaches, my teammates, my family. They’re the ones that pushed me to be great and step up to the plate, and take on all the responsibilities that I needed to take on to achieve these goals.”
Jones worked hard during the offseason to improve his tackling, speed and leadership, and saw growth in all areas this season. He said it was amazing to help set the tone for his team every Friday night.
“I had to be the leader of that defense and honestly the whole team because we were pretty young,” Jones said. “It’s a big role. Everyone looks up to you, and you have to be that role model.
“I really wanted to get faster this past offseason I knew I’d be moving to inside linebacker, and I had to be everywhere on the field. Worked on my tackling, and I really think I improved in that.”
Jones started his Falcons career feeling like a too-small defensive lineman. That experience “made (him) reach another level and step up (his) game,” and he grew into one of the top defenders in the district, resulting in being tabbed the District 32-6A defensive MVP in 2021.
One of Jones’ best memories from the season was defeating Harlingen High in a double-overtime contest. He was proud of the dedication his brothers showed to turn the program around after “a couple of off years,” resulting in a trip to the area round. Jones hopes his efforts will be remembered for years to come in Los Fresnos.
“I’m thankful for all the opportunities I had,” Jones said. “I hope that I left my mark, showing no matter what, keep working, keep working, keep working and you can eventually get to the top.”
Newcomer of the Year
Storm Montoya
Freshman, Brownsville Veterans Memorial
Montoya had a breakout freshman season and was the leading rusher for the Chargers, compiling 835 yards and 968 all-purpose yards with five rushing touchdowns and four 100-plus-yard games. He was the top freshman rusher in Class 5A, according to MaxPreps. For his stellar rookie season, Montoya has been named the All-Metro newcomer of the year.
“It means a lot,” Montoya said. “I’ve actually been wanting to have this award since I was very little. I’ve always wanted to be known as that.
“My teammates got me here and helped me to run, and helped by blocking for me.”
Montoya wasn’t nervous about immediately taking on such a big role in the offense. Making the jump from middle school to varsity football was tough at times, but his hard work and natural abilities helped him thrive. The Chargers’ coaching staff saw his potential early on, and after posting 126 rushing yards in the season opener against Harlingen South, Montoya believed, too.
“I was surprised with how much the coaches believed in me,” Montoya said. “(Coach Kelley Lee) made some plays just for me, and he was always telling me how this spot was for the most athletic guy, and it gave me confidence and let me know what I could do. That (South) game, I was surprised about how I did because they were super good. That’s when I found out that I can adjust to defenses and rack up some yards.”
Montoya learned a lot from the Chargers’ seniors and grew out of his shell during his freshman season. The lessons he absorbed have him ready to take on a leadership role and improve his game even more next season. The success he had in 2021 drives the work he’s already doing to come back stronger as a sophomore.
“My parents played a big factor because they took me to all these camps, they got me better. And Coach Lee, (coach David) Duty, they all pushed me. They’re tough on us because they really want us to be better. Thanks to everyone that believed in me,” Montoya said. “(Now) I’ll help out all the guys coming up, the incoming freshmen, and let them know what it took for me to get here.”
Coach of the Year
Tony Villarreal, Port Isabel
Port Isabel coach Tony Villarreal added to his legacy in 2021, leading an impressive turnaround for the Tarpons.
After playing only one game last year, Villarreal directed the Tarpons to an 8-4 season and their first playoff victory since 2013. Port Isabel took on a challenging schedule containing eight road contests with a small and often banged up roster. The Tarpons achieved a lot this season, and Villarreal has been tabbed the All-Metro coach of the year for his leadership.
“It’s a very humbling award,” Villarreal said. “This one was a whole lot special because it was quite a ride. I thought about it on Christmas Eve, and I got a little emotional. I called all the coaches and thanked them because of the Herculean effort that we put in.
“The ones I have to give credit to more than anybody are the coaches and the kids,” he added. “The seniors, for their mental toughness and their grit to not be denied the opportunity to be successful. And the coaches for listening. It ended up being a magical year.”
Port Isabel had to overcome limited participation for much of the offseason. Villarreal said only 12 kids came out for spring ball in April. That number grew to a consistent 15 until finally participation increased just before the season started.
With many athletes going both ways, only two lettermen on the roster and not much offseason training, Villarreal had to be strategic throughout the season. He set small goals, like winning all home games, and the Tarpons rose to each challenge.
He limited playing time during the regular-season finale against Rockport-Fulton to keep his guys fresh for the playoffs, which resulted in Port Isabel knocking off Carrizo Springs for a bi-district title. The Tarpons earned statewide recognition from Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for the victory.
Villarreal returned to Port Isabel and promptly put the Tarpons back on the map. With Villarreal at the helm, they’re ready to build on the re-established tradition of success.
“There’s a different breed of young men here,” he said. “Every game we wanted to go out and hit people harder than they’d been hit. The culture here … the community expects the Tarpons to win, and they push them and then they support them. And these guys got it done.”