| 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.
|