Pearland's bid to repeat comes up short

Written by Dr David Davis Monday, 12 December 2011 11:37

TD BOUND - Jared Mapps (10) alertly picked up a Pearland fumble and raced 45-yards for the Oilers first score against Hightower. The 2010 5A Div. I state champions were unable to hold off a fast and an aggressive Hightower squad who won the game 35-14 to end Pearland's season at 11-3. The Hurricanes advance to the 5A Div. I state semfinals. (Photo by Manny G)

HOUSTON — When the 2011 football season began, most sports prognosticators didn't figure that the Pearland Oilers would repeat as 5A Division I state champions. In fact - most didn't predict the Oilers would go very far in the playoffs since head coach Tony Heath lost so many skill players and those who inherited those positions had no varsity experience.

Fast forward to the this past Saturday when the Oilers had the opportunity to defend their 5A Region III Division title against Hightower. That game represented the fact that there were only eight teams in Division I still standing in all of the state of Texas.

No. 1 state-ranked Katy and No. 2 state-ranked Euless Trinity, the team Pearland shocked last year for the state crown, had fallen the week before -- yet, the Oilers were still playing for the right to advance to the state semifinals.

That's right -- the Oilers had somehow managed to make it to the 5A Division I state quarterfinals amid all the naysayers saying it couldn't be done. No - they didn't repeat as state champions. But they did outlast all the 5A Division I teams in the state except four teams.

While finishing with an 11-3 season record, the Oilers will have most of their skill people returning plus a little surprise at running back that you will have to wait until next year to see.

The game against Hightower didn't turn out as hoped for, but the Oilers certainly played all 48 minutes despite falling 35-14. Even in the final two minutes, Pearland was knocking on the door to score.

In the end, an elusive quarterback, poor tackling, and speed on the offensive side of the ball was too much to overcome for the Oilers.

The Oilers managed only 79 total yards in the first half while Hightower was able to find the end zone twice for a 14-0 lead at intermission.

The Hurricanes scored first in the second half to make the score 21-0 before Pearland finally scored.

A fumble by the Oilers and an alert Jared Mapps who picked up the ball to scoot 45-yards for a touchdown with 5:10 left in the third quarter put Pearland on the scoreboard to cut the lead to 21-7.

The Hurricanes added another score on the final play of the third quarter for a 28-14 lead.

With 11:24 left in the final frame, Pearland pulled out one of the oldest tricks in the book, but the hook and lateral worked to perfection as Adam Saunders took the pitch and raced down the sidelines to complete a 45-yard scoring pass from QB Jacob Garner.

But the Hurricanes would score one more time to put the game away 35-14. The Oilers were stopped at the Hightower two-yard line on fourth down at the end of the game.

Pearland fans should be very proud of this young team and for all they accomplished this year. The Oilers are 27-3 the past two years and are one of the elite teams in the state. Congratulations to the coaches, players, and fans for an incredible season.

Junior QB Jake Garner is only the third quarterback in Pearland High School history to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season. Garner finished the 2011 season with 2,014.

Trey Anderson owns the single-season record with 2,898 yards while Noah Allen had 2,074 yards passing in 2001.

Senior running back Jackie finished the year with 1,468 making him the seventh player in PHS history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season.