Tarps carry Valley hopes again
The Port Isabel Tarpons are once again the Rio Grande Valleys final team in the state football playoffs.
Saturdays 35-27 victory over Liberty Hill advanced the Tarpons, 9-3, to the Class 3A Division II state quarterfinals against Altair Rice Consolidated, 11-2, at 2 p.m. Saturday at Alamo Stadium in San Antonio.
Making it to December in the state playoffs is quite an accomplishment. Its a feat that PI fans have experienced several times before. Since 1976, the Tarpons have missed the postseason only three times 1977, 1989 and 1999 and during that span have advanced three or more rounds on 12 occasions counting this season.
With a 33-25-3 postseason record, the Tarpons have played more playoff games (61) than any other team in the Valley and are one of the few South Texas ballclubs with a winning postseason record in football.
The last time PI advanced to this level was 1994 when the Tarpons reached the state semifinals. Its the same level the 1981 team achieved.
Now the magic is happening again.
Gualberto Gonzalez, the Tarpons announcer for the past 27 years, hasnt missed a game since he graduated from PI in 1971. Hes seen his share of PI squads, and by comparison, said the 1994 Tarpons had a little more size but the current team has a little more speed.
"PI has had a lot of good teams and some great teams," Gonzalez, 50, said. "The teams of 94, 90 (state quarterfinalist) and 81 were all great teams. I feel comfortable and satisfied in saying that this years team belongs with those teams.
"Our defense has been very aggressive to the ball and thats what youve got to have at this level," he added. "The defense has turned it up every game and the offense is playing well, too. We seem to rise up to the occasion, which I think has a lot to do with the coaches."
He said a side benefit of the Tarpons advancing so far in the playoffs is it allows PI graduates and former residents to gather and enjoy the games. The high school principal at Seguin, where the Tarpons played Saturday, is Irene (Galvan) Garza, a PI alum.
"I can show you a section (of the stadium) and there will be a whole family," Gonzalez said.
Now along comes the Tarpons next challenge in Rice Consolidated. The Raiders bounced Devine 48-7 at the Alamodome Saturday. They rushed for 196 yards in the opening quarter and led 42-0 by halftime.
"Well be the underdogs, but we love that," Gonzalez said.
"The community is excited and ready to go for the next round," he added. "Our kids can pull out a miracle. I believe this is the team to do it."
