PEARLAND — There wasn't any doubt regarding the outcome of the game between Pearland and Spring Branch Memorial. The biggest question was whether they were going to get to play the game at all.

Kickoff was to begin at 7:00 p.m. but there was lightning in the area which delayed the game by 30 minutes. Then the storm moved in and pelted the field with rain and lightning for another 30 minutes. With lightning still in the area when the rain came to a slow drizzle, the start time kept being delayed by 30 minutes until there was no lightning in the vicinity.

At 9:00 p.m. the decision was made that the game would be played and kickoff was moved to 9:40 p.m.

Most of the fans had gone home, the bands understandably packed it up, and only the faithful were left, but they were treated to some outstanding moments by the Oilers.

Pearland got the opening kickoff and it took only one minute to score as ju nior running back Evan Burgess took a handoff from QB Jacob Whitehead, cut right, and out ran the Memorial defense 57-yards for the TD. Jacob Keller hit the PAT and the Oilers were up 7-0 with 11:00 left in the opening period.

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MONSTER GAME - Pearland defensive end Derek Parish had a monster game against Spring Branch Memorial as he had several quarterback sacks and other key stops in helping the Oilers to a 36-0 shutout over the Mustangs.

Pearland will host Manvel on Friday, Sept. 9 at The Rig at 7:00 p.m. (Photo by Lloyd Hendricks)

On Memorial's third play following the ensuing kickoff, De Antoine Carter came up an interception to give Pearland the ball at Memorial's 18.

It took only two plays for sophomore Jaelin Benefield to find the end zone on a 14-yard scoring dash. The PAT was good and Pearland was up 14-0 at the 8:51 mark of the first quarter.

Memorial was forced to punt on their next posssesion, but got the ball back on an interception of their own at their 38.

But Pearland's defense held to force another punt taking over at the Memorial 29 after a bad punt.

The Oilers scored their third touchdown in four possessions as Benefield scored on a 1-yard plunge for a 21-0 advantage with 2:27 left in the first.

The second quarter continued to be the Benefield show as the speedster scored his third and fourth touchdowns of the game on runs of 82 and 15-yards giving the Oilers a 36-0 halftime lead.

The second half would see a lot of other players getting some experience and Pearland would notch their second win of the season 36-0.

Benefield carried the ball only six times gaining 124 yards and four touchdowns.

Burgess had four totes for 63 yards and one score.

Whitehead was 11-of-17 for 134 yards.

Pearland had 367 total yards while the defense, led by defensive end Derek Parish, held the Mustangs to only 222 yards.

The No. 3 area-ranked 6A Oilers (2-0) will host the No. 1 area-ranked 5A Manvel Mavericks (2-0) on Friday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig.