Port Isabel is preparing for their first district matchup of the season on Thursday. They will head out to take on the King Brahmas at 7:00 p.m. Keep an eye on the score for this one: the two teams posted some lofty point totals in their previous games.
Port Isabel took a 38-point defeat the last time they faced off against St. Joseph Academy, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Tarpons came out on top in a nail-biter against the Bloodhounds on Thursday, sneaking past 34-32. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest win the Tarpons have posted since September 20, 2024.
Bryan Ramirez
| 10/09/25 vs St. Joseph Academy | 96 |
| 08/29/25 @ Lyford | 40 |
| 09/19/25 vs Hidalgo Early College | 31 |
| 09/26/25 @ Edcouch-Elsa | 30 |
Luis Ramos had another great game (as he tends to do), rushing for 184 yards on only ten carries. Port Isabel also got a significant boost from Bryan Ramirez, who ran away from the competition to the tune of 96 yards.
They were just one part of a punishing run game: Port Isabel was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 373 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 157 rushing yards every time they've taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, King got themselves on the board against San Antonio Memorial on Thursday, but San Antonio Memorial never followed suit. They blew past the Minutemen, posting a 47-0 victory. The Brahmas might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won three matchups by 21 points or more this season.
Port Isabel better focus on containing Damarius Montgomery-Buckley and Isaac Cason as the pair were huge in King's win. Montgomery-Buckley rushed for 172 yards and four TDs, while Cason rushed for 136 yards and one touchdown on only nine carries. Those 136 rushing yards gave Cason a new career-high.
One reason for the win was King's imposing defense, which managed to get into the backfield for three sacks. In fact, those sacks all came courtesy of defensive juggernaut Joe Palacios.
The win made it two in a row for King and bumps their season record up to 5-2. The victories came thanks in part to their defensive effort, having only surrendered a grand total of 7 points in those games. As for Port Isabel, their record is now 3-4.
Thursday's game will pit two of the most dominant backs against one another: Ramos and Montgomery-Buckley. Ramos just won't slow down this season and has averaged 138.6 rushing yards per game. Montgomery-Buckley has been a dominant force too and has run in 12 touchdowns while averaging 157.7 rushing yards per game.
Everything came up roses for Port Isabel against King in their previous matchup back in October of 2024, as the team secured a 48-19 win. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Brahmas' Dylon Everett, who threw for 167 yards and a pair of TDs, and also rushed for 33 yards. Now that he won't be playing on Thursday, will it be easier for the Tarpons to walk away with another win? There's only one way to find out.
