Oilers will reload for 2009 campaign

July 21, 2009

   

PEARLAND — It comes as no surprise that Pearland head coach Tony Heath faces another task of reloading his football team for the upcoming 2009 football season. Notice reloading and not rebuilding. The architect of Pearland's incredible turnaround since 1997 has a strong foundation in place -- and each year -- the Oilers say good-bye to some very talented players and in turn welcome some returning starters and lettermen while finding additional players that will step up to continue the winning tradition that 12 other teams have built on Oiler Drive.

Heath and Co. will certainly look to the returning starters on offense and defense that will provide the leadership to others who will be looking to proudly wear the maroon and black in the fall.

According to the roster from last season -- there are 63 seniors who graduated on June 5 at Reliant Stadium. Some of those seniors wrote their names in the Pearland football record book and will be long remembered for their contribution in making Pearland the third winningest football program in the Houston area since 1999 and the 10th winningest program in the state since 2000.

All-State running back Kasey Carrier (New Mexico) finished his career with 593 carries for  4,415 yards and 61 TDs. He set a new PHS single-season scoring record with 35 touchdowns in 2008. Carrier led the Houston area in rushing in 2008 with 2,117 yards.

Quarterback Sam Allen was probably the most improved player on the 2008 team as he led the Oilers to a 12-1 mark. Allen was 140-of-233 passing for 1,825 yards, 19 TDs, 2 INTs. He finished as the most prolific passer in PHS history hitting 241-of-399 for 3,427 yards, 30 TDs, 9 INTs. He broke the career passing record of his brother, Noah, who led the Oilers to a school-record 13-1 mark and the 5A Division I state semifinals in 2001. Noah Allen still holds the PHS single-season records of 2,074 yards and 20 TDs.

Wide receiver Kevin Miller (Sam Houston State) is the most decorated pass catcher the Oilers have ever had. Miller had 62 catches for 1,134 yards and16 TDs in 2008 to set the single-season records. He owns the career marks with 138 catches for 2,072 yards, and 21 TDs.

When you add up the numbers on those three players -- Heath is going to have to replace 3,942 total yards and 54 TDs.

On defense, the Oilers lost All-State free safety Jarrad Stewart (Utah). Mario Turner, Jourdan Brogdan, D.J. Durio, Eric Change, Justin Wilson, and Dennis Walls to name a few.

But - the Oilers always manage to see players step up to accept the challenge.

The cupboard isn't bare as Heath has seven offensive and five defensive starters returning.

Offensively - WR Myles Kanipes (Jr.), WR Charles Ortiz (Sr.), WR Matt Rhodes (Sr.), TE Charles Plaster (Sr.), OG Alex Freas (Sr.), OT Ian Gray (Sr.) and C Derek Hoffpauir (Sr.) all return to give Pearland strong support on the offensive line and outside receivers.

The biggest question is replacing Carrier and Allen, but Heath believes he has the heir to both positions and the good news is they are both juniors.

Running back Dustin Garrison saw limited action last season, but when he was on the field, he proved that he wasn't afraid to compete against the best of them. Garrison has the speed and moves that will remind Pearlanders of Brandon Roberson and Fozzy Whittaker.

"Dustin is going to be another game-breaker for us," Heath said with a sly grin. "He has that quickness and break away speed that we have been used to seeing the past 12 years."

The other junior will be quarterback Trey Anderson who saw limited varsity action last season. The signal-caller started one varsity game when Sam Allen suffered a slight concusion and was held out of the South Houston game.

Anderson led the Oilers to a 50-7 thrashing of the Trojans which included 17-of-25 passing for 215 yards and two scoring passes.

At the Spring, Texas combine - Anderson was voted as the top QB while Kanipes was named the top WR. Trevor Sealy was also named the top defensive lineman.

Defensively, the Oilers will be led by DE Trevor Sealy (Sr.), DE Sam Ukwuachu (JR.), ILB Alex Deason (Sr.), CB Jeff Phillips (Sr.), and CB Claudis Smithers (Sr.).

These players will form the nucleus that defensive coordinator Mark Kanipes will be looking for to complete both sides of the ball.

Other players that will see a lot of action include: OL Ronald Salazar (Sr.), OL Zach Garza (Sr.), DL Bryant Nikolis (Jr.), DL Bradley Drenon (Sr.), and DB Eric Dixon (Sr.).

One of the concerns that Heath has about this year's team is the depth -- or lack thereof.

"We aren't going to have the depth that we have had in recent years," Heath said. "We can't afford major injuries for this year's team. We have to stay healthy."

Playing in District 22-5A will allow the Oilers to rest most of their starters if the season plays out like it did last year when Pearland set a new single-season scoring recored with 540 points.

The Oilers averaged 40.1 points per game while the defense allowed 13.4 points per outing with two shutouts. The Oilers reinforce further with players up from sub-varsity teams that combined for a 14-2-2 record.

The district games at La Porte and at Deer Park will be key deciders in the 22-5A race. Pearland is a Division I lock as the second largest school in the district if they make the playoffs as expected. The Oilers will be a factor in the region again if they successfully replace the production lost to graduation.

The pre-season pick for the District 22-5A title is:
1. Pearland
2. La Porte
3. Deer Park
4. Pasadena Memorial
5. Pasadena Dobie
6. South Houston
7. Sam Rayburn
8. Pasadena

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