The time has arrived for junior running back Kacey Carrier to step into the spotlight after running in the shadows of All-State running back Fozzy Whittaker for most of last season. The swift-footed Carrier put the offense on his shoulders and did what most had expected -- when it came time to step up in crunch time -- he came through with a sensational 60-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter that sparked the Oilers to their seventh straight season opening win.

Pearland was trailing the Fort Bend Kempner Cougars 9-7 late in the third quarter after placekicker Ryan Clayton took advantage of a 30 m.p.h. tailwind to loft a 50-yard field goal through the uprights.



With 10:19 left in the final period, Carrier took advantage of strong blocking by the offensive line to dash 60 yards to make the score 13-9. The extra point missed the mark.

The Oilers had trouble getting the offense untracked in the first quarter while the defense stepped up as expected this early in the season.

Head coach Tony Heath figured that the Pearland defense would be ahead of the offense Until Carrier's game-clinching run, the Oilers' defense had also provided the offensive fireworks when junior free safety Jarrad Stewart came up with a huge interception deep in Pearland territory. The hard-hitting Stewart showed he had some nifty moves behind some alert blocking that allowed him to race down the right sideline for a sensational 70-yard scoring jaunt to give the Oilers a 7-0 lead following the extra point by Robbie Hersh.
Carrier entered the game having to step into the shoes of three of the greatest running backs in Texas football history over the past 10 years -- and they are all from Pearland. Anthony Evans (UH), Brandon Roberson (Northwestern), and Fozzy Whittaker (Texas) all finished in the top 10 rushing list in Texas 5A history.

While Carrier understands the history of Pearland's great running backs, he has the speed and ability to continue the tradition as he showed against Kempner with 28 carries for 196 yards and the critical 60-yard scoring run.
Pearland's offense struggled for most of the first quarter and was forced to punt the first two times they had the ball after gaining only nine yards.
Meanwhile, the Pearland defense kept Kempner in check forcing the Cougars to punt their first two possessions.

On Kempner's third possession, Stewart came up with the big interception on second down producing the first points of the season for the Oilers.
While the Oilers continued to struggle offensively, the Cougars finally found a rare hole in the Pearland defense when Kendall Blackshear broke through the middle of the line for a stunning 62-yard scoring jaunt. Clayton hooked the extra point leaving the Cougars trailing 7-6 with 10:43 left in the second quarter.

The Oilers finally found their groove on offense on their next possession. Beginning at their own 35, Carrier became the focal point of the offense with 12 carries for 53 yards. Quarterback Sam Allen hit Kevin Miller for 12 yards during the drive that set up at the Kempner one-yard line.

Facing third-and-goal, Pearland did what they did last season against Kempner as they fumbled the ball at the goal line which was recovered by the Cougars to kill the scoring drive by the Oilers.

The first half ended with Pearland clinging to a 7-6 lead.

Neither team could move the ball on their first possession of the second half. Pearland began their second possession at their own 20, but Allen was intercepted giving Kempner excellent field position at the Oilers 38.

Once again, the Pearland defense did their job forcing the Cougars to settle for a 50-yard field goal attempt which was made by Clayton at the 3:06 mark giving the 'Coogs a 9-7 lead.

Pearland moved the ball from their own 27 to the Kempner 29 before an incomplete pass fell short on fourth down. Carrier was the workhorse on the drive adding 45 more yards to his total.

The weather moved in at The Rig and lightening forced a 45 minute delay before play could be resumed.

The Oilers set up their offense at their 40 and that's when Carrier got free on his 60-yard scoring run. The missed extra point left Pearland with a 13-9 lead and that's the way the game would end.

Pearland almost let the Cougars pull out the win when the offense fumbled the ball at their own 20 with 4:31 remaining in the game.

But the defense for the Oilers stepped up big time as the Cougars moved to the Pearland 11 before they lost yardage on four straight plays back to the 29. Mario Turner came up with a fourth down sack to give the ball back to Pearland to run out the clock.

The No. 9 area-ranked Oilers will travel to Butler Stadium on Friday, September 7 to face the Madison Marlins at 7:30 p.m.