Memorial upsets Pearland 17-14

HOUSTON — Pearland and Spring Branch Memorial have had a close feud over the past eight years and the Oilers were 7-0 entering the non-district contest between the two teams at Tully Stadium last Friday.

Most of the games have been real nail biters as the Oilers have always managed to pull the rug out from under the Mustangs each time. Beginning in 2004, Pearland has won by the scores of 27-24, 18-7, 24-17, 21-0, 41-14, 20-14, and 49-42. Four of the games were won by Pearland in the final minute.

So when Memorial finally turned the tables to win 17-14 to hand Pearland their first loss of the year -- the Mustangs thought they had won the state championship. Though they did win the 5A Region III Division II title last year to advance to the 5A Division II state semifinals so Memorial has an outstanding football program.

There are a few things to keep in mind.

The loss was the first one for Pearland since the 2009 season. They are the only team in the state that can make that claim this year. It was also a non-district loss and the Oilers are still the 2010 defending state champions. All Memorial did was win a game that has no bearing on the district standings or playoffs.

Someone once said, "Real champions know how to turn the darkness of adversity into the daylight of prosperity."

Head coach Tony Heath has said at the beginning of the season that the 2011 Pearland Oilers are not the 2010 version. He has repeatedly said that this team has a lot of inexperience and is going to need to grow progressively through the season on a game-by-game basis. And the Oilers will grow from this close loss as the real season begins on Friday, September 23 at The Rig with Clear Springs comes to town to begin District 24-5A action.

The game against Memorial was typical of year's past and this time, the Mustangs were fortunate to pull out the win.

After a scoreless first quarter, Pearland scored first after Juan Trujillo intercepted a tipped pass deep in Memorial territory early in the second period.

The Oilers completed the six-play, 31-yard drive when quarterback Jake Garner rolled out and then threw back to John Gibberman on a screen play that resulted in a 12-yard scoring toss. The extra point by Mike Windstead was good giving Pearland a 7-0 lead at the 11:19 mark of the second quarter.

The lead held up until Memorial finally drove deep into Pearland territory just before halftime. With :02 seconds showing on the clock, Patrick Christie booted a 32-yard field goal as time expired to cut the lead to 7-3 at intermission.

Memorial took the lead in the middle of the third period on a 6-yard run at the 5:17 mark. The PAT was good giving the Mustangs a 10-7 advantage.

With 1:10 left in the third, Pearland regained the lead when Garner fired a perfect strike to Adam Saunders for a 10-yard touchdown. The PAT by Windstead hit the mark giving the Oilers the 14-10 lead.

Neither team could make much of a scoring threat until Pearland was forced to punt the ball with less than two minutes left in the game. Facing third and three -- Garner threw a pass for a first down that was dropped by the receiver giving Memorial one last chance.

After a poor punt, Memorial got the ball at their own 41 with 1:43 left in the game. A couple of very questionable calls by the officials gave Memorial a first down on a crucial third and three.

With 1:25 left in the contest, Memorial completed a pass to the Pearland 25. Two plays later, Boomer White scored on an 11-yard run. The PAT was good and Memorial was back on top 17-14.

Pearland had a decent return to their 38, but Garner was intercepted on the first play allowing Memorial to run out the clock for the win.

The Oilers were held to a season low 255 total yards. Garner was 11-of-21 for 136 yard and two scores and two INTs.

Jackie Robinson led Pearland in rushing with 60 yards on 13 carries. Adam Saunders had five catches for 75 yards and a TD; John Gibberman had two grabs for 26 yards and one score; Cody Sandman had three catches for 19 yards; and Jared Mapps had one catch for 16 yards.

 

BIG HIT - Pearland defensive tackle Chris Alexander (37) had a big game against Houston Memorial. The senior defender put a big hit on a Memorial player. The game came down to the final seconds as Memorial pulled out the upset 17-14. Pearland is open this week and will host Clear Springs on Friday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig. (Photo by Manny G) 

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