Organization news and notes

For the sixth straight year, the Pearland Oilers won their season opener with a 19-6 win over Fort Bend Kempner.

The score was not indicative of the total domination displayed by the offensive and defensive units. Actually, the score should have been 40-6, but early season miscues resulted in Kempner not being blown out at Mercer Stadium.

The Oilers displayed offensive control with two sustained drives that resulted in fumbles at the goal line. One gave Kempner the ball at their own two-yard line and the other fumble was recovered by the Cougars for a touchback. Pearland also saw a touchdown pass dropped in the end zone.

Those were the negatives, but there were a lot more positives to build on that will give Pearland fans a lot to cheer about this season.

Quarterback Sam Proctor and running back Fozzy Whittaker showed why they may be the best one-two punch in the Houston area at their positions.
Whittaker collected 147 yards on 28 carries while Proctor picked up 128 yards on 17 carries while scoring two touchdowns on runs of 12 and 11 yards that left the Kempner defenders grasping for air.

The biggest question entering the game was the offensive line, but that wasn't really an issue once the game began as Steven Kenney, Getaneh Mekonen, Ian Musslewhite, Ross Phillips, Cory Baumann, Brian Thomas, Kevin Davis, and Kyle Harvey battled in the trenches against a strong Kempner defensive unit.

The end result was Pearland collecting 256 yards on the ground and 51 yards through the air for a total of 307 yards and 18 first downs. The Oilers also controlled the game clock with 61 offensive plays while holding on to the ball for over 33 minutes while Kempner only had the ball for 14:50 (43 total plays).

Kempner finished with only five first downs and 131 total yards. The only score they got was with 1:08 remaining in the game on a one-yard pass play. That marked the first score that the Pearland defense has given up to Kempner in the past three times they have met in the season opener beginning in 2004.

The Oilers defense added a safety in the second quarter and Robbie Hersh booted a 32-yard field goal in the fourth period to close out the scoring.

Pearland's defense was fast and aggressive and kept the Cougars off-balance the entire game. Deforester Jones controlled the middle of the line action and got plenty of help from Lance Hayes, Chris Bogs, Jarrad Stewart, Daniel Shin and Dantrayal Smith.

One of the highlights of the game was when Bogs punted from his own 19 yard line. The ball hit at midfield and slowly rolled all the way to the Kempner one-yard line covering 80 yards. That set up the Pearland safety.

The Oilers will host Houston Madison on Friday, September 8 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig. The Oilers are looking to continue their perfect record for their home opener since moving into The Rig in 2001.

An added bonus this week will be the Re/Max Top Realty parachute team that will bring in the American flag, Texas flag, and game ball prior to kickoff. This will be the third straight year that Pearland fans have been thrilled with the skilled parachute team. Landing should take place at 6:55 p.m. -- Don't miss it!