It's Tarpon Time

PORT ISABEL - Just getting to play tonight's game is somewhat of a victory for the Port Isabel Tarpons.

After a summer of being displaced by Hurricane Dolly and all of the adjustments that came with it, the Tarpons open the season tonight against West Oso at Tarpon Stadium.

The tilt is the Valley Morning Star's Game of the Week for Week Zero.

"When you cross the lines, you have to perform. That's the name of the game," Port Isabel head coach Monty Stumbaugh said.

"But this is a pretty good matchup for us."

No set practice field, flooded facilities along with weight and locker rooms with no air conditioning are just a few of the inconveniences Stumbaugh's squad has had to endure.But win or lose, the setbacks will not be used as excuses for the Tarpons.

"It's not the players' fault; it's not anybody's fault. It just happened," Stumbaugh said. "But the kids have done fine. Us playing good or bad isn't because we're sitting in the dressing rooms. That's not gonna keep us from being successful on Friday night."

Tarpon Stadium suffered minor damage, including 25-second clocks and the iconic sign in the end zone proclaiming PI's success over the years. The clocks are expected to be up and running tonight.

And so are the Tarpons.

On the field, PI will field a young school of fightin' fish.

Junior Kyle DeMoss will start at quarterback in his first varsity game and fellow junior Joe Vega is expected to see plenty of time at tailback.

"Whether we're on the practice field, or a scrimmage, or a game, we put all of those distractions aside," DeMoss said. "Because when Friday comes, it'll feel normal."

It's uncertain whether backs Diego Garcia and Rolando Alvarez will see action against the Bears due to injuries.

PI started work the kinks out against Mercedes, losing 4-2 to the 4A contender in their controlled scrimmage last week.

The young Seawall Defense, which returns only three starters, will have all it can handle from the Bears.

That's because West Oso will bring plenty of speed with them.

The Bears, a favorite out of District 31-3A, boast plenty of team speed.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the offensive backfield.

Speedsters Shedrick Howard, Markeith Smith and David Foxx are a triple threat of breaknecks.

"They've got lots of speed and quickness," Stumbaugh said of the Bears. "We've gotta get ‘em before they get going. Because they hit the holes in a hurry."

Howard, who had over 1,100 yards rushing a year ago, is the centerpiece of that lightning-quick West Oso backfield.

"He's every elusive," Stumbaugh said. "And he's very tough to bring down."

The Bears aren't just quick on offense. Defensively, they're just as fast.

Linebacker John Baldwin is one of the best around, and he led the team in tackles a year ago.

The Bears topped PI in an overtime nailbiter 20-14 last year in Corpus Christi.

Armando Garza covers sub-4A football for Valley Freedom Newspapers. He can be reached at armandog@valleystar.com.