DAVE FAVILA | Staff Writer
The Port Isabel Tarpons had a pretty solid football season this year as they finished with a 9-2 overall record and clinched a share of the District 16-4A Division II championship with a 4-1 mark.
Leading the charge for the boys in blue was senior running back Omar Silva, who finished the 2016 campaign with 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns.
On Tuesday, Silva’s hard work was officially recognized as he was a first-team selection on the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors Class 4A all-state football team.
And the good news for the Tarpons didn’t stop with Silva as a couple of his teammates also made the cut.
Christopher Bode, who finished the season with 110 tackles and 12 sacks, was selected as a first-team defensive lineman.
Finally, Oscar del Abra was named an honorable mention defensive lineman.
“It’s quite an honor for these guys and for the program,” said Tarpons head coach Monty Stumbaugh. “With Omar, what can I say? He was ‘The Guy’ for us and our offense revolved around him. This program has had a lot of good running backs over the years, but he’s one of the best I’ve had.
“As for Bode, that kid just had a motor. He got the job done thanks to second effort because he was always working from start to finish.
“They all worked hard and it’s good to see that all that hard work is being recognized. Also, since they are all seniors, it’s nice to see them go out on top. We’ll sure miss them next season, but I think this honor will stand as a message to all the younger players who can see what can be accomplished through hard work and determination.”
Silva actually missed two whole games this season due to injury and Stumbaugh said that he was held out in another two after the first half.
“Which makes what he did even that much more impressive,” Stumbaugh said. “Had he not been hurt and played in all of our games, we feel he could have easily run for 2,600 or 2,700 yards.”
In addition to the PI trio, Rio Hondo’s Santiago Mendoza was named an honorable mention defensive lineman.
The senior defensive end registered 86 total tackles and had 10.5 sacks this season.