By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
Tonight’s match up between Port Isabel and Rio Hondo will feature two of the districts top teams.
On one side the Bobcats boasts the best defense in District 16-4A DII allowing a total of 1000 yards since the beginning of the 2014 season. Allowing an average of 166 yards per game, Rio Hondo has proven to be tough to run against allowing an average of 50.2 yards a game.
“Defensively we knew it was going to be a great year for us, the kids have really pulled together on defense,” said Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James.
“I think that’s what’s going to keep us in every game, I don’t see anybody coming in and running all over us. For me as a defensive guy it makes me feel better knowing that going into a game that my defense is pretty stout.”
The Bobcat defense have overwhelmed nearly every opponent they’ve come up against getting five interceptions, 14 fumble recoveries, and have amassed a total of 604 tackles with 36 sacks.
“Offensively we’re different but on the defensive side we are a lot alike,” said Coach James. “but I know we’re both very excited about this game, I know Monty is also, every year we pencil this game in as a great game and a great opportunity for our kids to showcase themselves.”
“We’re very excited to play P.I., we’ve come to know each other really well and we are excited about the game.”
Historically, the Tarpons are no strangers to having a good defense and this year it’s no different.
Statistically, this season the Sea Wall Defense is second in defense, just behind Rio Hondo, allowing just 227 yards per game.
“It’s a big game because it’s a district game,” said Port Isabel head coach Monty Stumbaugh. “They play good defense and we like to play good defense, we both feel like we have good defenses, but the kids have been playing hard and are getting after it.
“We’ve been able to get some turnovers, and (as a result) the short field’s have help us and fortunately we’ve been able to jump on people early.
The Tarpon defense has been very physical on defense accumulating 13 interceptions with eight fumble recoveries. Port Isabel has allowed an average of 103 rushing yards per game, something that will be heavily tested against the Bobcats.
“Everybody thinks I’m an offensive guy but I’m a defensive guy,” said Stumbaugh. “We want to play great defense and that’s what were going to try to do. We have a tradition here in Port Isabel of having a great defense and all they (players) want to do is continue with that.”
“They’re going to be a tough challenge, it’s a friendly rivalry but its going to be a tough football game with a playoff type atmosphere and we definitely have to come with our A game.”
On offense the Tarpons have the district top offense with 2483 total yards, with 2283 of them coming through the ground.
It’s no surprise that team leads the district in rushing yards. With a pair of running backs like Jaime Gonzalez and Alex de los Santos, the Tarpons have gone straight at their opponents with 254 carries while attempting only 29 passes this season
But the Bobcats are right behind them with 1637 rushing yards of their own and leading the team is Marco Garate. The speedy senior has accumulated a total of 781 yards on 116 carries, making him the districts top rusher just ahead of Port Isabel’s Gonzalez (753 yards) and De Los Santos (771 yards).
Over the past 10 years the two teams have spit the games 50/50 winning five a piece. But the Tarpons have have the upper hand winning the past two mettings.
“The team is very excited about the game, Coach James. “It’s very had to keep high school kids level headed about such an exciting game and really it’s good. As coaches this is what we coach for and for the kids this is the game that you dream about.”