By ROY HESS, Staff Writer
PORT ISABEL — Chalk up another district-opening win for the Port Isabel Tarpons.
On a rainy Friday night while celebrating homecoming, the Tarpons triumphed over Progreso 33-13 in their District 16-4A Division II opener at Tarpon Stadium.
Port Isabel (4-1, 1-0 district) has won five straight district openers dating back to the 2010 season, when the Tarpons suffered a 39-23 loss at Zapata in a District 32-3A opener.
On Friday, the Tarpons led 9-0 after one quarter and 22-7 at intermission. Port Isabel took a 25-7 advantage into the final period.
“We played hard,” Port Isabel coach Monty Stumbaugh said. “I felt we gave up a couple of cheap touchdowns because we weren’t defending (against the pass) the way we were supposed to.
“Progreso came and played hard,” Stumbaugh added. “I knew they would. They had some good kickoff returns that gave them some good field position. But our guys responded and did what they needed to do (to win).
“We started out 1-0 (in district) tonight, and that’s what we wanted to do. I’m proud of our players. They came out and took care of business, and the good thing about homecoming for me is it’s over now.”
Progreso hurt itself by fumbling the ball away four times and throwing two interceptions. The Tarpons had a couple of fumbles but did not turn the ball over.
Ivan Gonzalez scored on a 10-yard run and Williams Romero made a 24-yard field goal to give the Tarpons a 9-0 lead by the end of the opening quarter.
During the second quarter, Omar Silva, who alternated playing quarterback and running back for the Tarpons, threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jonathan Garza and then scored himself on a 2-yard run to make it 22-7 at the half. Silva went over 100 yards rushing on the night.
Progreso’s first score came on a 5-yard pass from Joey San Roman to Rey Garcia during the second quarter as the Red Ants (1-4, 0-1) pulled to within 9-7 of the Tarpons’ lead.
Romero’s 25-yard field goal midway through the third quarter increased the Port Isabel advantage to 25-7.
The Red Ants narrowed the lead to 25-13 with 8:08 remaining when Daniel Munoz went in on a 1-yard QB keeper. The score came one play after the Red Ants completed a deep pass off a halfback option for 35 yards.
However, the Tarpons were back in the end zone just one minute later on a 50-yard run by Silva with 7:11 showing. Silva also rushed for the two-point conversion to account for the final score of 33-13.
Each team faces tough district tests next Friday as Port Isabel plays at Rio Hondo and Progreso entertains Orange Grove.