The Pirates of Rockport-Fulton have made the playoffs on a regular basis. For this spring’s graduating seniors, it was only the second time in school history that a group made the playoffs all four years of high school.
But for the Pirates, navigating those postseason waters has been rather treacherous. How’s this for second-round matchups the last three years: In 2014 Rockport lost to eventual state semifinalist Liberty Hill. In 2015 it was eventual state champion Waco La Vega, and in 2016 they again faced La Vega, who lost in the state quarterfinals.
But hey, the Pirates are winning football games and they’re getting past the first round.
Last year Rockport did it with defense, and in 2016 they’ll do it with an experienced offense.
Key Losses
QB CI Frost, OLB Max Vanson, S Jaunito Garcia
Frost was an all-district selection at quarterback.
The Pirates defense was loaded with lots of seniors, including Vanson, Garcia, Justin Coleman, Caden Williams and Drake Hargrove.
Key Returners
TE Joe Dafft, LB Blake Rios, OT Cameron Ngo
Blake Rios (5-11, 195) was one of the district’s Defensive Players of the Year in 2016. Standout receivers Adam Lamb and Joe Dafft return for another year.
The Pirates will be young, but experienced on the offensive line with guards Angelo Trevino and Adrian Mendoza and tackle Cameron Ngo.
The Verdict
The Pirates return size on both lines and skill on each side of the ball. They’ll need to break in a new quarterback, but the Pirates have been steaming along regardless who’s taking snaps.
They should be able to get through their Coastal Bend-heavy schedule again and make the playoffs for a school-record fifth straight year.
The season starts with Aransas Pass at home on Sept. 1 and then a short jaunt to Sinton in Week 2. In Week 3 it’s a midway-point, neutral-site game against first-year team Tom Glenn High from the Leander ISD, which is just north of Austin. The Pirates get Ingleside and Hidalgo at home before opening district at Pleasanton.
Regular season ends at home against Robstown, and Rockport should start its postseason in mid-November. Then maybe they can get past that second-round hurdle.
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