Organization news and notes

For the past two season, Spring Branch Memorial has proven they aren't going to be just another team that Pearland runs over during the year. In two previous meetings, Memorial barely lost 27-24 in 2004 when the Oilers drove to the Mustangs' 19 with four seconds left on the game clock. Jake Moylan calmly booted a 36-yard field goal as the buzzer sounded giving Pearland the three-point win.

In 2005, the Mustangs once again forced the Oilers to get the win in the final quarter. Pearland only led 3-0 at halftime and trailed Memorial 7-3 early in the third stanza. But Pearland's defense stiffened to blank the Mustangs the rest of the way while the Oiler offense cashed in to score two touchdowns and one field goal to make the final score 18-7.

It appeared that Pearland might have an easier path to victory at Tully Stadium when the Oilers offensive machine scored on the opening possession with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard scoring plunge by James Williford. Robbie Hersh hit the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter.

The drive featured quarterback Reid Wendell hitting 4-of-4 passing for 38 yards with sophomore Kevin Miller grabbing three of the passes for 31 yards. Karlton Johnson had the other grab in the drive. The other featured offensive star was sophomore Kacey Carrier who had four carries for 26 yards while sophomore Josh Gonzales added one tote for 12 yards.

Memorial got the kickoff and was forced to punt after three plays netted minus-10 yards.

The Oilers went to work again starting at their own 45 and driving to the Mustangs' 27. Wendell hit a snag misfiring on three straight passes sending Hersh back on the field to boot a 31-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead wth 11:19 left in the second period.

After both teams traded punts, Memorial finally got their offense in gear to score on a 56-yard pass from quarterback Cliff Vaughn to wide receiver Josh Hood. The extra point found the mark and the Mustangs were back in the game 10-7 with 3:13 left before intermission.

Memorial got the second half kickoff and took advantage of the opportunity by scoring on a 27-yard pass play with Vaughn and Hood hooking up again with 8:07 remaining in the third period. That gave the 'Stangs a 14-10 lead.
The Oilers went three and out on their first possession and Memorial continued to find some empty holes in the Pearland defense by driving from their own 46 to the Pearland 25 before settling for a 42-yard field goal by Morgan Mills. That gave the Mustangs a 17-10 lead with 2:43 remaining in the third quarter.

It took Pearland only a few minutes to knot up the score at 17-17 as quarterback Sam Proctor made his first appearance of the game. The senior field general faked to Carrier in the middle of the line and then pulled the ball out, faked out one defensive back and then sprinted past the Memorial safety to cap a 65-yard scoring jaunt. Hersh nailed the extra point to tie up the game with 41 second remaining in the third frame.

The Pearland defense came alive to force Memorial to punt after three plays netted two yards.

Proctor and Co. took the field at the Pearland 29 yard line. The first play saw Carrier glide through a huge hole on the left side of the Memorial defense allowing the sophomore speedster to cut to the sideline and smoke the defenders who were chasing in vain to complete a 71-yard scoring burst.

Hersh booted the extra point with 10:47 remaining in the game to give the Oilers a 24-17 lead.

The Oilers' defense never allowed the Mustangs to cross the mid-field stripe for the rest of the game.

Carrier finished the game with 17 carries for 153 yards and one touchdown. Proctor had six totes for 79 yards and one score. Kevin Miller had four grabs for 51 yards while Wendell hit 8-of-14 passing for 75 yards.

Pearland racked up 16 first downs and 356 total yards while Memorial was held to eight first downs and 187 total yards.

The biggest test of the year will be this coming Friday, September 22 at The Rig at 7:00 p.m. when the Oilers face Class 4A No. 1 area-ranked La Marque. Both teams come into the game with a 3-0 mark. The Cougars have recorded wins over Nederland, Ball High, and La Porte this season. A sold out crowd is expected for one of the top games featured in the Houston area.