Organization news and notes

Junior running back Dustin Garrison entered the 2009 football season being compared to some former Pearland ball carriers and each time he took the field -- he knew that there were those waiting to see him live up to those comparisons. Fair or not -- that's the way it is at Pearland -- now known for the legendary running backs that have come out of Running Back U.

Over the past 13 years -- names like Anthony Evans, Brandon Roberson, Fozzy Whittaker, and Kasey Carrier have become synonymous with greatness. Evans (UH), Roberson (Northwestern), and Whittaker(UT) are among the top 10 all-time leading 5A rushers in the history of Texas football -- while Carrier (New Mexico) would probably have joined them had he not had to play behind Whittaker for over a year. Carrier had almost 4,500 yards rushing and claimed the PHS single-season scoring record in 2008 with 35 touchdowns.

Garrison chose this past Friday, October 9 to announce his coming out party though the weather changed to cold and drizzle. His opening statement came with 10:11 left in the opening period on Pearland's first possession. On the first play - Garrison broke a couple of tackles through the La Porte defense - sliced to the outside - and then used his speed for a sensational 70-yard scoring run to give the Oilers a quick 7-0 lead.

After La Porte tied up the game 7-7 on their next possession - another Oiler got in on the sensational as Sam Ukwauchu hooked up with quarterback Trey Anderson for two scoring passes that were beyond sensational.

The first score came as Anderson lofted a pass to the 6-4 junior who made one of the most incredible grabs that no one could believe.

Positioned behind the La Porte defender - Ukwauchu reached out as the ball was on its way to the ground and quickly plucked it up as it passed by the defensive back for a 30-yard scoring pass. The second score came just as unimaginable as Ukwachu leaped high over the defender to make a one-handed grab for another score covering 24 yards and a 21-14 lead.

With 39 seconds remaining in the first half - La Porte's Jeremy Pena used a stiff tail wind to boot a 40-yard field goal to narrow the Pearland lead to 21-17 at intermission.

With the rain intensifying in the second half - the game turned to the defense.

The Oilers took the second half kickoff and came out to the 40, but fumbled giving La Porte the ball at the Pearland 32.

Anthony Webb scored on a 32-yard run giving the Bulldogs a 24-21 lead.
After the teams traded a couple of punts each - La Porte set their ground game in motion with their big running back, Kendrick Perkins, doing most of the damage. Perkins scored on a 31 yard run in the first half. Down-after-down, Perkins rammed his way through the Oilers defense, but wasn't able to break free for a score.

With 1:36 left in the third quarter - La Porte punts the ball and pins the Oilers on their own 7-yard.

On first down - Anderson flipped a shuffle pass to Garrison who dropped the ball. A La Porte defender fell on the ball and instead of the officials calling the pass incomplete - they ruled it a fumble - which is a wrong call.

Despite head coach Tony Heath's outrage - La Porte claimed the ball at Pearland's seven-yard line.

The third quarter came to an end and the teams moved to the other end of the field with Heath still furious that his team was getting the shaft.
But his outrage turned to motivation for the Pearland defense who stopped the Bulldogs on four downs at the goal line - the last coming from the one-foot line giving the Oilers the ball back.

On first down, Garrison carried to the two-yard line. On second down - getting a huge hole from his offensive line - Garrison broke free to burn the Bulldogs for a 98-yard scoring dash that gave the Oilers a 27-24 lead.

La Porte got the ball back with 2:12 left in the game from their own 11.
The Bulldogs moved the ball to mid-field before the Oilers defense stopped them to get the hard-fought win.

Pearland finished the game with 419 total yards with 315 coming on the ground. Garrison finished with 306 yards on 28 carries for two scores. Andeson was 9-of-17 passing for 126 yards with two TDs and one interception.

Ukwuachu had two grabs for 59 yards and two scores. Garrison added three grabs for 32 yards. Myles Kanipes had two catches for 19 yards and Charles Ortiz had two catches for 16 yards.

The Oilers will travel to face Pasadena Memorial at Pasadena Memorial Stadium on Friday, October 16 at 7:00 p.m. Both teams enter the game with 3-0 district records with the winner taking over first place in the race for the league title.

Follow the game on the LiveBlog found at www.reporternewssports.com at 7:00 p.m.