By ADAM KUJAWSKI, Staff Writer
Last week’s 33-7 loss to Orange Grove knocked the Port Isabel Tarpons out of the running for a District 16-4A Division II title, but playoff implications still remain in the form of seeding.
The Tarpons (7-2, 2-2 in district) will play host to the Raymondville Bearkats (5-4, 2-2) at 7:30 tonight to determine which team will earn the No. 3 seed in the district.
“We’d like to end on a victory and go into the playoffs with some momentum,” P.I. coach Monty Stumbaugh said.
The contest is the final installment of the regular season, and Stumbaugh still wants to iron out some flaws he saw during last week’s loss.
“Last week we had a fumble in the third quarter when we could’ve still made it a six-point game,” he said. “We’ve got to take care of the football. We’ve got to go back to basics and go back to what we’re taught.”
Raymondville is in an identical scenario. It, too, is coming off a less-than-stellar game against a Rio Hondo team that sits in second place in the district, and Bearkats coach Frank Cantu knows it doesn’t get any easier.
“P.I. is one of those teams,” he said. “If we’re going to get a win, we need to play sharp, tough defense.”
Both teams feature explosive rushing attacks that rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the district in yards gained on the ground. Between the two of them, they will field four of the district’s top five running backs.
Port Isabel’s Jaime Gonzalez and Alex De Los Santos have combined for 21 touchdowns and nearly 2,000 yards, and Raymondville’s Miguel Tristan and Christopher Trevino have matched the P.I. duo’s TD production and compiled 2,086 yards between themselves.
Pace looking to play spoiler to PSJA Southwest
The Pace Vikings haven’t had the season for which they’d hoped. After last week’s loss to Edcouch-Elsa, they solidified a losing season, which means this week is the final time they will take the field in 2014.
The Vikings (3-6, 2-4 in district) will travel to PSJA Southwest to take on the Javelinas (5-4, 3-3) at 7:30 tonight in a game PSJA Southwest needs to win in order to keep its playoff hopes alive.
Pace will try to spoil those hopes, but Vikings coach William Deen hasn’t needed the added inspiration.
“It’s something we’ve addressed and talked about at practice,” Deen said. “But I don’t think we necessarily need the extra motivation.”
Last week’s mistake-filled game to Edcouch-Elsa ended the Vikings’ playoff chances, but this game is still important, as it is the last time the seniors will strap on Vikings helmets and take the field.
“I hope we play with a lot of emotion,” Deen said. “(The seniors) are a great group of young men. They’ve had a great attitude at practice this week.”
PSJA Southwest coach Jesus Reyes did not return calls for comment as of press time.
Porter wraps up season at home against Mercedes
The Porter Cowboys play host to the Mercedes Tigers for their final game of the season at 7:30 tonight at Sams Memorial Stadium.
The Cowboys (2-7, 1-5) will try to end the season on a high note following last week’s 42-7 loss to PSJA High. If they intend to get back on track, they will need to do so against the first-place Tigers (8-1, 6-0), who need a win to clinch sole possession of the District 32-5A title.
The Cowboys will need to overcome the top-ranked defense in the district, led by Roel Garcia, who set the all time interception record for Mercedes during last week’s contest against PSJA Southwest.
Porter coach Tom Campos and Mercedes coach Roger Adame Jr. did not return calls for comment as of press time.
Adam Kujawski covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6663 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @adamkujo1.