Organization news and notes

Whittaker runs for 219 yards; defense shines again
Pearland head coach Tony Heath knew going into the game against Spring Branch Memorial that this was going to be the biggest test to date for the 2005 football campaign. He was reflecting on the game last year between the two teams that was decided on a 19-yard field goal by Jake Moylan on the final play of the non-district contest won by the Oilers 27-24.

Then sophomore running back Fozzy Whittaker was still in the maturing process and didn't play much of a factor in the game last season, but what a difference a year makes.

The junior speedster has positioned himself as one of the top running backs in the Houston area after gaining 219 yards on 32 carries including a 10-yard scoring run against a strong Memorial defense.

But Pearland was equal to the task defensively holding the Mustangs to only one first down and 34 total yards in the first half.

Whittaker had 96 first-half yards, but the Oilers were unable to capitalize on a scoring opportunity in the first quarter that ended with a pass interception at the Memorial 25.

The Mustangs were forced to punt setting up the Pearland offense on their own 15. Alex Bolan hit a 20-yard field goal to complete a 13-play, 82-yard drive for a 3-0 lead with 4:58 remaining in the second quarter.

That would be the end of the scoring in the first half as both teams went to the dressing room to regroup.

It took only two plays for Memorial to grab the lead in the second half as Hunter Clinch burned the Pearland defense on a 52-yard scoring jaunt. Kevin Neal hit the extra point to give the Mustangs a quick 7-3 lead at the 11:05 mark.

The two teams traded punts before the Oilers started a drive from their own 27, but the offense stalled at the Memorial 11 setting up another Bolan field goal covering 27 yards making the score 7-6 with 10:26 left in the game.
Facing third-and-three at their own 33, Pearland linebacker Brandon Shaw recovered a fumble by quarterback Hunter Rome at the Mustangs' 28.

Quarterback Michael Speciale gained nine yards, Whittaker picked up six yards, before Speciale broke through a big hole to score on a 13-yard run taking two defenders with him into the end zone. Bolan hit the extra point giving the Oilers a 13-7 lead with 7:43 remaining in the game.

The Pearland defense stepped up their intensity forcing the Mustangs to punt after three plays.

The Oilers got the ball at their own 49 and promptly drove for the final score of the game covering 51-yards in six-plays capped off by a 10-yard run by Whittaker. The elusive runner almost broke free on the first play from scrimmage, but was caught after a 27 yard gain to the Memorial 22. Bolan booted the extra point with 3:03 showing on the game clock to secure the 18-7 victory.

Memorial tried move the ball, but Jamaal Driver picked off a Cliff Vaughn pass and the Oilers ran out the clock to improve to 3-0 for the season.

The Pearland defense continues to lead the way while the offense continues to mature each week. Linebacker Texavier Henry led the defense in tackles for the third straight week with seven unassisted tackles and six assisted stops for a total of 13. Brandon Shaw had a couple of quarterback sacks while recovering the timely fumble setting up the go ahead score.

Memorial finished with only six first downs and 118 total yards against a sterling performance by the Pearland defense.

The offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage as David Webster, Steven Kenney, Eric Kutch, Alan Pelc, Malcolm Brown, Chad Garner, Matt Duke, and Landon Davis all battled in the trenches to open gapping holes for Speciale and Whittaker throughout the game.

Speciale finished with 15 carries for 85 yards while hitting 4-of-5 passing for 29 yards. Ernest Buch had two catches for 18 yards and Whittaker had two grabs for 11 yards.

Pearland will travel to face the Victoria Memorial Vipers on Friday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m. The two teams battled to 22-22 tie in regulation last year forcing a first-ever overtime for the Oilers. Whittaker scored the game-winner on a two-yard plunge giving the Oilers a 28-22 win. The game also marked the coming out party for Whittaker who finished with 190 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns.