Organization news and notes

While the Pearland offense racked up 13 first downs and 282 yards on the ground, it was the Oilers' defense that came through with a sterling performance against the Kempner Cougars for a 20-8 season opening victory.
Fozzy Whittaker made his varsity debut as a sophomore against Kempner last season at the Dave Campbell Texas Football Classic in San Antonio at the Alamodome and had only 10 carries for 27 yards. However, the junior speedster proved how much he has matured in this year's matchup with 22 carries for 180 yards and one score including a nifty 28-yard scoring run at the 11:09 mark in the fourth quarter giving the Oilers a 20-2 advantage.

But it was the Pearland "D" that kept Kempner out of the end zone. Though the Cougars put eight points on the board, they were all as a result of offensive miscues. The first coming on a fourth down punting situation that saw the snap sail over the head of Michael Speciale into the Pearland end zone. Speciale wisely pitched the ball out of play for the safety to make the score 13-2 with 2:18 remaining in the opening half.

The other score came on a fumble recovery that was returned for a 68-yard touchdown by Charles Arogdonio with 6:26 remaining in the contest to narrow the score to 20-8 as the two-point conversion was no good.
The Oilers got on the scoreboard first as Speciale completed a five-play, 68-yard scoring drive on their first possession of the game with a 16-yard scoring run. Alex Bolin added the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 8:39 remaining in the first quarter.

After the two teams traded punts, Kempner was facing second-and-nine at their own 21 when Pearland linebacker Brandon Shaw scooped up a fumble to race 19 yards for another score. The extra point missed the mark and the Oilers had a 13-0 lead.

Pearland held Kempner to only 17 yards in the first two quarters while the Cougars were not able to register a first down.

The Oilers finished with 282 yards on the ground while Speciale was 0-for-5 passing, but Pearland didn't need to move the ball through the airways to get the win.

Speciale had a strong game running the ball finishing with 13 carries for 70 yards and a score.

Kempner finished with only six second-half first downs and 82 total yards with 62 coming on the ground. Quarterback Gunner Newberry was 3-of-11 passing for 15 yards.

Pearland has won their season opener for the past five straight years and improved their home record to 20-2 since moving into The Rig in 2001. The only two losses the Oilers have suffered at home the past five years have been to North Shore. Once during the regular season in 2003 and last year in the opening round of the bi-district playoffs.

The Oilers will now prepare to meet Fort Bend Elkins at Hall Stadium on Saturday, September 3 at 6:00 p.m. Pearland beat the Knights last year 42-0. Elkins opened their 2005 season with a 32-13 win over Alvin.