For the past two years, Pearland has been eliminated by the North Shore Mustangs in the first round of the playoffs. In 2002 and 2003, the Mustangs beat the Oilers when they faced one another in District 23-5A action.

Many high school prognosticators predicted that the No. 5 state-ranked Mustangs would capture the 2006 Class 5A Division I state championship as they had won in 2003 with a 15-0 mark.

When the Mustangs jumped on the Oilers 14-0 with 3:19 remaining in the opening period, there were those among the Pearland faithful at Reliant Stadium that could be heard groaning and visualizing a blowout.

But there were some coaches and players that accepted the "We Believe!" attitude and they turned a slogan into one of the most monumental wins in Pearland football history.

"We had always tried to change our offensive and defensive approach when playing North Shore and it obviously didn't work," head coach Tony Heath said a few days prior to the game. "We are coming together as a team with a belief in each other and with what we are able to do well and that's the way we are going to approach the game."

What Pearland does well is run the football in record fashion. Fozzy Whittaker entered the game with 2,070 yards on the season while quarterback Sam Proctor had 992 yards.

Meanwhile, the Pearland defense has had a remarkable revival over the past five games that has seen them shut down some of the best teams in the Houston area.

North Shore running back entered the game with over 1,400 yards rushing and had 74 yards in the first half. The Pearland defense allowed the speedster only 26 yards in the second half.

The Oilers also contained scrambling quarterback Vance Fizer who hit 7-of-15 passing for 108 yards with one completion for 66 yards leaving him 6-of-14 for 42 yards and one interception for the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Oilers won the battle in the trenches on both sides of the ball which is an area that North Shore usually controls.

"There is no question that our kids battled and won in the trenches," Heath said. "That was one of the major differences in the outcome of the game."
North Shore had driven to the Pearland 20 when Miguel Prudencio attempted a 37-yard field goal, but the kick missed to the right and the momentum began to shift.

Pearland got on the scoreboard in the second quarter with 3:47 on the clock when Proctor scored on a three-yard quarterback draw to cap a 79-yard, 15-play drive that took over six minutes off the clock. The scoring drive got the Oilers back in the game 14-7.

North Shore began their next drive at the 31 following the ensuing kickoff, but the drive halted and the Mustangs were forced to punt with 1:13 remaining in the first half. The punt was downed at the Pearland two-yard line.

Whittaker carried for a yard, Proctor kept the ball for two-yards leaving a third-and-five at the five yard marker.

North Shore called timeout with 25 seconds knowing a punt would give them a chance to return for a score or get a shot at a field goal.

Proctor called his own number on a sneak, but a couple of steps stood him upright and his instincts took over as he bounced quickly around the left side of the offensive line where he found an opening to the sideline. Once around the corner, Proctor used his speed and long stride to step off a 95-yard scoring jaunt leaving two North Shore defensive backs diving at his legs at the four-yard line. Proctor kept his balance and stretched out across the goal line for a jawdropping, crowd-cheering touchdown. Robbie Hersh hit his second extra point and the Oilers went into the dressing room tied 14-14 and the momentum on their side.

The Mustangs got the second half kickoff and drove to the Pearland 34. Facing fourth-and-one, Pearland's defense stuffed the run for no gain and took over the ball on downs.

The momentum definitely shifted to the Oilers and Proctor and Co. responded with a 67-yard, nine-play drive for the winning touchdown capped off by a 21-yard scoring dash by Whittaker. Hersh nailed the extra point and the score was posted 21-14.

Whittaker had six carries for 60 yards while Proctor added three totes for 18 yards. The drive took 4:25 off the clock.

"We knew if we could drive the ball and take time off the clock that it would keep our defense fresh and their offense off the field," Heath said.
Both teams went three and out on the next two possessions.

But it would be linebacker Chris Bogs who would step up with an incredible 52-yard punt that would put the Mustangs in a hole at their own 12.
Facing third-and-14, Fizer dropped back to hit a pass covering 66 yards as the Oilers made a touchdown saving tackle at the Pearland 25.

Gainous got the ball to the Pearland seven setting up a first-and-goal. Two plays netted minus-2 yards. On third-and-goal, Fizer rolled to his right and lofted a pass in the end zone, but Nic Saenz, had perfect position and reached high to pull down his seventh interception of the season to end the scoring threat.

Pearland was forced to punt on their next possession and once again, it was Bogs who stepped up with a 55-yarder that stopped at the North Shore 12 again.

With 5:06 remaining in the game, North Shore moved the ball out to the 25, but a blitz by the Pearland defense led by Bogs and Andrew Hernandez slammed Fizer into the dirt with a fumble that was recovered by the Mustangs at their own seven yard line.

On third-and-26, Pearland's defense forced an incomplete pass and North Shore opted to punt the ball hoping their defense could get the ball back with 1:37 left in the contest.

But Pearland wasn't going to be denied as Proctor picked up four yards on third-and-three giving Pearland a first down.

With no timeouts left, North Shore was forced to watch the Oilers take a knee and run out the clock for the monumental victory.

Proctor finished the game with 179 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns while Whittaker rushed for 105 yards and one score.

The Pearland defense limited North Shore to 12 first downs with 175 yards rushing and 108 yards passing for 283 total yards.

The Oilers had 15 first downs and 295 total yards with 288 yards on the ground. The Oilers committed no turnovers and had only one penalty for five yards. North Shore had one turnover with a critical interception and no penalties.

Pearland (10-2) will face Katy Cinco Ranch (11-1) on Saturday, December 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Reliant Stadium in the Class 5A Region III Division I semifinals.