Tarpon Fever Begins Monday


2 A Days Start August 3rd

August 1, 2009

By EJ Holland, tarponfever.net



Football season is almost here, and the Port Isabel Tarpons are ready to begin practice. On Monday (August 3rd), the Tarpons will start practicing at 8 a.m. Practice will continue till 9:30 a.m. The Tarpons get a much needed one hour rest and hit the practice field once again from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. August 3rd-6th will only feature the Tarpons practicing in shorts, shirt, and helmet. August 7th is picture day and also the first day of full pads. Two days out of the week the varsity lifts and the other two days JV and freshmen lift. The Tarpons also practice on Saturday but get the day off on Sunday.

For most Tarpon football fans the fever begins this Monday, but for the Tarpon players the fever began way back in November. Right after football season ended last year, the Tarpons began working hard during the athletic period. The Tarpons lifted weights and did the infamous house of pain. Most Tarpons also went to the weight room after school to get some extra work in. When spring came around the Tarpons began lifting weights at 6 a.m. and did some football drills during the period. Once again most Tarpons attended the weight room after school. The Tarpons really never took any time off from football.

When summer rolled around in June the Tarpons continued their hard work, no longer being able to work out during the period, voluntary workouts were held at 8 a.m. Monday-Thursday. Tarpon football players lifted in the weight room for about an hour and did some running on the track for about another hour. These workouts were held throughout June and July. “The workouts really got me prepared for the start of football season, and our off-season helped me stay in shape the whole year,” said junior Tarpon offensive tackle Andrew Ramirez, who hopes to make the varsity this year. On Thursdays the Tarpons got a special treat by having workouts on the beach right behind the Isla Grand Hotel. Team members worked on various speed and agility drills on the sand and beach goers got to see the Tarpons in action first hand, some even joined in the drills. “I thought that the beach workouts were pretty cool and they prepared for football, the hardest thing about the beach workouts was running up and down the sand dunes,” said sophomore Tarpon quarterback James Ramirez who also hopes to be on varsity this year. The summer workouts also got a guest appearance from Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line coach Juan Castillo. Castillo had couple of inspiring words for the Tarpons and everybody gladly grasped what Castillo said. Most of the Tarpon football players attended the voluntary workouts this summer but a few did not and senior Tarpon guard Joey Cuevas stated, “It’s their choice if they want to be in shape or not going into practice, if they lose their spots, it’s their fault.” This summer a couple of Tarpons went the extra mile by participating in college camps like Joe Vega and Blake Sapp or competing in the lineman challenge like Jonathan Delgado and Aure Silva but one of the most important summer events was the 7 on 7 football team. Partaking in 7 on 7 helped Tarpons have fun and get better while competing against teams from around the valley. “It was a great experience to practice coverage and get better at catching in a less tense situation,” said senior Tarpon cornerback Chris Jones.

The Tarpons definitely had a good off-season but what happens in August is what really matters. Many Tarpons have big goals set for this season especially junior Tarpon safety Blake Sapp who said, “My goal for the team is just to be a team again and go as far as we can, with our talent I think we can get to state and I hope I get noticed by a D-1 college along the way.” Everyone is excited about two a days because “Getting back to football is the best time of the year,” said senior Tarpon running back Joe Vega. “It’s also important to let the underclassmen know that they are a part of the team, and they can come talk to the seniors if they need help with anything,” said Vega. The freshmen are probably the most nerve wrecked members of the team because this will be their first ever Tarpon two a days. Some freshmen however are handling the situation with great poise. “I was a little nervous this summer but I over came that because I love Tarpon football, I’m pumped and ready for two a days,” said freshman running back Ricky Rodriguez. “Two a days is really something special it gives team members the opportunity to bond and even though times may get tough and a couple of fights might break out, I know this year is the year we can strive through all of it and become a real team unlike last year,” said senior Tarpon defensive end EJ Holland.

Port Isabel has scrimmages this year against Brownsville Pace and Mercedes. Scrimmages are very crucial because they give players the opportunity to show the coaches what they can do in game situations. Scrimmages can also determine the depth chart for week zero. “It’s great to scrimmage teams like Pace and Mercedes because it prepares you come playoff time,” said senior Tarpon quarterback Kyle DeMoss. The whole Tarpon community is looking forward to the upcoming football season and expecting a playoff appearance. The players know what Tarpon football is all about and are also ready to get back to the playoffs. “Tarpon football means taking care of business as a team, one game at a time and believing there is no way you are going to get beat,” said junior Tarpon offensive tackle Jonathan Delgado.

Tarpon fans it’s Tarpon time!