Lyford takes advantage of mistakes by Port Isabel, 48-28

      In a game plaqued with turnovers Port Isabel was unable to overcome a quick start by the bulldogs. Lyford mixed up in its opening drive and drove about 80yards for the touchdown- extra point was blocked; 6-0 Lyford. PI went to a more balanced attack and got to midfield before making a great punt to Lyfords own 2yd line. In the next play Lyford fumbled the ball but recovered it at their own 1yd line, three plays later Lyford scored again with 5:26 left in the 1st qtr- 2pt play failed; 12-0 Lyford. After a short kickoff, PI started at their own 45yd line. On an option play the PI runner slipped as the ball was pitched and a Lyford player picked it up and ran it back another touchdown with 5:09 left in the 1st quarter. The bulldogs completed a pass for the 2pt play, 20-0 Lyford. After a deep kickoff PI ran it up to their own 25yd line. On the ensuing play the Tarpons pitched it out right for short gain, and had a false procedure on the following play. Things got worse as on the 3rd play of the drive as there was a fumble on a center to qb exchange and Lyford fell on the ball at PI's own 20yd line. Lyford is moving the ball, but a penalty negates a big run and they decide to go for it on fourth and 10 in the redzone. CJ Boyd comes up big for PI as he intecepts the pass in the endzone and brings it out to the 25yd line with about 3 minutes to go in the 1st quarter. Unable to get a first down, PI punts to midfield. The Tarpons defense makes Lyford turn it over on downs at PIs own 40yd line. On the next play CJ Barerra slices thru for a 21yd gain.
     After a 10yd reception and more nice runs by Barerra, PI scores; 20-7 Lyford with about 11 minutes to go in the 2nd quarter. PI's kickoff is short and the return man reaches the Tarpons 42yd line. Lyford QB, Moreno scrambles and finds an open man in the endzone. 2pt play is good, 28-7 Lyford. On the ensuing kickoff CJ Barerra makes a nice return to PI's 45yd line, but Lyford gets a big sack and the drive stalls. PI punts and Lyford is on the move again until it throws its second interception and #10 returns it to PI's own 42yd line. PI goes to the shotgun formation and is moving the ball pretty well. At Lyford's own 34yd line Barker throws a nice 10yd pass, but as the receiver takes a few steps he fumbles the ball. Lyford picks up the ball and runs it back for about 25yds to midfield. After two good stops by PI, Lyford gets a big gain out of the screen and from the 30yd line Moreno throws a nice TD pass to #11. Extra point try is blocked, 34-7 Lyford. After two small gains PI kneels the ball as the 2nd quarter ends.
     The Tarpons receive the ball to start the 3rd quarter. Boyd gets a hand on the ball as it sails past him into the endzone as he goes to retrieve it and to the surprise to everyone he decides to take it out. He took a big chance but gains 35 yards. On the next play Boyd dashes for a 30yd gain. Soon after CJ Barerra takes it to about the goal line and PI ends up scoring at 10:50 in the 3rd quarter; 34-14 Lyford. Just as PI seemed to be getting the momentum, PI's special teams coverage breaks down and the Bulldog return man brings it all the way back to the PI 20yd line. On the next play there is a mishap between the qb and rb and the ball is fumbled and PI recovers! PI continues to shoot itself on the foot with two illegal procedures and the drive stalls. PI punts and Lyford again returns it for a big gain from the 47yd line to PIs 25yd line, but is hit and Lyford fumbles again! Another PI qb/center fumble, but the ball is recovered; unable to secure a 1st down and PI punts deep in its own territory. The game is a sloppy one as Lyford fumbles yet again. PI returns the favor in the next play as #12 subs in for Barker and fumbles the ball, but this time Lyford picks it up and returns it 30 something yards for a touchdown; 41-14 Lyford. Boyd receives the kickoff at PI's own 5yd line and takes it back to the 28yd line. On the next play there is a mishap by the qb and rb on a pitch, but #12 jumps on the ball and recovers it. Showing his inexperience #12 throws an interception in the next play as Lyford takes over at PI's 22yd line. Two plays later #5 for Lyford runs it in for a touchdown, extra point is good; 48-14 Lyford. Not giving up, Boyd again has a big kickoff return to the Lyford 35yd line. Barker is back at qb and after some nice runs by Boyd and Barerra PI gets to about the 10yd line. After a short gain PI fumbles again, but recovers the ball. On the ensuing play Barker finds an open receiver in the corner of the endzone for a touchdown; 48-21 Lyford. With just a little over 2 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter PI opts for an onside kick and it works! PI puts on a good drive and with the help of a determined Barerra, PI scores; 48-28 Lyford. PI again goes for the onside kick, but this time Lyford recovers.
     As the 4th quarter starts Lyford is at midfield. They drive to the PI 28yd line where the running back gets hit and fumbles the ball; PI recovers. PI is unable to get a 1st down and punts to midfield where the return man takes it to PIs 25yd line. After a penalty and a big sack by PI, Lyford is forced to punt from PI's 45yd line. On 3rd down and under heavy pressure, Barker is stripped of the ball, but PI recovers. The drive stalls and PI punts deep in its own territory giving Lyford great field position once again. Starting at the PI 28yd line after a couple of small gains, Lyford has a bad snap and the Tarpons recover yet again with 3:51 to go in the game. PI manages to fumble the snap again, but maintain possession. They eventually get to midfield where they turn it over on downs. With 45 seconds left Lyford secures the ball and the ballgame. 48-28 Lyford.

2009 32-3A All-District Selections

Offensive MVP: Joe Vega
1st Team Off: QB, K. DeMoss, WR B. Sapp
TE L. Gonzalez
2nd Team Off: RB M. Garza, T. J. Delgado,
Guard V. Rivera
1st Team Def: DB K. DeMoss
2nd Team Def: Ends L. Gonzalez,
LB J. Mendoza

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On a side note:

Only 1 team out of the current 43 RGV teams have won a 3rd round game in this decade spanning 2000-2008... The 2003 Port Isabel Tarpon Team!