Tarpons Cruise Past Greyhounds 58-12 Tarpon 7 on 7 Football Report June 23,2009 By: EJ Holland, tarponfever.net The Port Isabel Tarpons are 3 weeks into their 7 on 7 football season and are looking strong. The Tarpons have already garnered victories over Edcouch Elsa, Hidalgo, and Ben Bolt while suffering close losses to Lago Vista and Weslaco. For those who are unfamiliar with 7 on 7 football, there are seven players on both sides of the ball. The offense consists of a center, quarterback, tight end, and four wide receivers. The quarterback has four seconds to throw the football with no rush from the defense, if the ball fails to cross the line of scrimmage in four seconds the play is blown dead and results in a loss of down. The defense consists of three linebackers and four defensive backs. There is no tackling, only touch is allowed, and the field length is 50 yards as opposed to 100. Port Isabel took on the San Benito Greyhounds 2nd team as a part of the Los Fresnos 7 on 7 Football League. The Tarpons first possession resulted in a 10 yard touchdown pass from Kyle DeMoss(25/32 372yds 8td 0int) to Blake Sapp(5rec 64yds 1 td). Matt Garza (3rec 91yds 2td 2xps) caught the two point conversion to make the score 8-0. Both teams then exchanged three and out possessions. Cornerback CJ Barrera intercepted the ball for Port Isabel on San Benito’s 2nd possession, which led to an 8 yard touchdown pass from DeMoss to Joe “Paco” Vega(5rec 79yds 3td 2xps). Garza converted on another two point conversion making the score 16-0. The Greyhounds didn’t fold over, on the ensuing possession San Benito scored on a 17 yard touchdown to make the score 16-6. Port Isabel responded with a 28 yard touchdown by EJ Holland(7rec 92yds 1td), who made a spectacular juggling catch. Vega converted the two point conversion extending the lead 24-6. As the 1st half winded down the Tarpons added another score, this time a 50 yard bomb from DeMoss to Garza. San Benito tried to score one last time before the half officially came to a close, but the hail mary pass was intercepted by Garza. The score at half time was 30-6 in favor of the Tarpons. “We’re on fire,” Holland said. “We are definitely playing up to our capabilities,” DeMoss added during the break. The Tarpons started the 2nd half right where they left off, DeMoss found his big tight end Holland up the middle for 30 yards which set up an 18 yard touchdown by Garza to make the score 36-6. The Greyhounds answered back with a 20 yard touchdown of their own to cut the deficit down to 24. The two point conversion was intercepted by DeMoss which gave momentum back to the Tarpons. Port Isabel then set up a time consuming drive which resulted in a 2 yard touchdown pass from Demoss to Vega. The two point conversion also featured a toss from DeMoss to Vega to make the score 44-12. San Benito threatened to score on their next possession but was stymied by the Tarpon seawall defense led by linebackers Julio Mendoza and Jair Cortez. On the next offensive possession, Demoss found Chris Jones(4rec 41yds 1td) in the end zone for yet another touchdown. On the two point conversion Garza took over at quarterback and found DeMoss in the corner of the end zone giving the Tarpons a 40 point lead, 52-12. The Greyhounds misfortune continued as Port Isabel linebacker Joey Cuevas intercepted the ball, forcing San Benito’s 3rd turnover. On the Tarpon’s final possession, Demoss found Vega yet again on a 45 yard touchdown completion. Safety Noe Hernandez put the final nail in the coffin as he made an interception on the last play of the game. The Tarpons scored on 8 out of 9 possessions, never turned over the football, and never trailed. The seawall held its own forcing four turnovers and four 3 and outs. The final score was Port Isabel 58 San Benito 12. The Tarpons will continue to compete in the Los Fresnos 7 on 7 Football League and will have another game in Los Fresnos Monday June 29th at 6pm. Everyone please come out and support!