ROY HESS | Staff Writer
HIDALGO — Don’t look now, but the Valley View Tigers are 2-0 to start the 2018 football season.
It’s the same start they had one year ago, when they finished 3-7. This time around, they are seeking a better showing with the playoffs in mind.
Valley View is on its way toward reaching that goal this season thanks to Friday night’s 34-7 non-district triumph at home against the Port Isabel Tarpons.
“Our guys have been working hard, and they deserve to be 2-0,” Valley View coach Eli Esquivel said. “Being 2-0 makes the team feel good and know that hard work pays off.
“Our offense moved the ball and our defense had five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumble recoveries), so it was a solid night for us,” Esquivel added. “Being 2-0 feels great. Valley View hasn’t been known as being a powerhouse in football. These boys have been working hard during the three years that I’ve been here, and it’s paying off for them.”
The Tigers led 3-0 after one quarter and 20-7 at halftime. Valley View took a 27-7 lead into the final period.
Jorge Amaya put Valley View ahead 3-0 on a 29-yard field goal with 5:23 showing in the opening quarter.
Port Isabel’s lone score came at the 11:26 mark of the second period and gave the Tarpons a 7-3 advantage.
The Tarpons’ touchdown came on an 11-yard run around the left side by quarterback Cesar Aguilera. Anthony Orduna added the extra point.
Juan Cantu caught a 6-yard scoring pass from QB Simon Fernandez as Valley View went ahead for good, 10-7, with 8:54 to go in the second quarter. Amaya added the extra point.
Amaya’s 40-yard field goal with 8:03 showing in the period made it 13-7.
Brandon Gonzalez scored on a 7-yard run with 2:33 left in the first half to give the Tigers a 20-7 cushion at intermission.
It became 27-7 at the 6:58 mark of the third quarter when Fernandez scrambled 34 yards to the end zone and Amaya again added the extra point.
Fernandez threw a 38-yard scoring bomb with 5:40 remaining to complete the 34-7 tally. In all, the Valley View QB passed for two TDs and ran for another score.
Javier Lopez highlighted Valley View’s defensive effort by making a pair of interceptions. Lopez also had two picks in Valley View’s 41-7 win against Hidalgo to open the season a week ago.
Tarpons running back Bryan Medina was a workhorse and finished as the game’s leading rusher. He carried the ball 31 times for 123 yards.
The Tarpons went into Friday’s game with a 6-0 edge in their series with the Tigers. During the most recent game between the two teams prior to Friday, the Tarpons beat Valley View 14-7 in 2015 at Port Isabel.