Oilers open season at Reliant Stadium

August 24, 2009

   

HOUSTON — The Pearland Oilers will open the 2009 football campaign on Saturday, August 29 at 1:00 p.m. at Reliant Stadium against the Kingwood Mustangs.

Clank! That was the sound that thousands of Pearland/Kingwood fans heard with only 3:12 remaining in the Class 5A Division I Region III semifinals at the Astrodome. The sound discharged mixed reactions by all of the fans who witnessed the nail-biting battle between two teams who left it all on the field until the final gun sounded.

The sound ignited thousands of Pearlanders as they watched Kingwood's extra point bounce off the left upright leaving the Oilers clinging to a 28-27 lead. In what was the biggest game in Pearland history at that time - head coach Tony Heath acknowledged after the game that every team needs some "lucky mojo" during the season or playoffs.

Trailing 14-0 at the end of the first quarter, the never-say-die Oilers tied up the game and then led 21-14 and 28-21 before the fateful sound filled the ears of the Kingwood fans that would give Pearland the win. That was in 2001 when the Oilers went on to beat Hastings 17-7 for a first-ever Region III championship and send Heath's troops to a first-ever appearance in the 5A Division I state semifinals.

That was seven seasons ago and most of the current Pearland players were in grade school.

Pearland will have a lot of new faces taking the field this year...especially at the skill positions on offense. Junior quarterback Trey Anderson is slated to take the reigns of the offense while junior running back Dustin Garrison and senior RB Desmond King will have opportunities to follow in the steps of previous Pearland ball carriers who proved to be some of the greatest in Texas football history.

Anderson, who has a quick release of the ball, will look for one of the toughest players on the field in junior Myles Kanipes. He won't be the biggest player on the field, but he will no doubt have the biggest heart and strongest competitive drive of any player in a Pearland uniform.

Pearland scrimmaged 2008 state finalist Hightower this past Saturday in preparation for their season opener. The Oilers and Hightower battled one another in last year's Region III final which was won by the Hurricanes. It was a clean scrimmage and the Oilers proved they can matchup against a team ranked No. 10 in the pre-season state rankings. Pearland is ranked No. 24 in the state.

A look at Kingwood

The Mustangs were 4-5 last year and lost in the first round of the playoffs. They return only two offensive and three defensive starters. They lost 56 lettermen to graduation. The Mustangs are a pre-season pick to finish fourth in District 19-5A with Eisenhower, Atascocita, and Humble taking the top three spots.

Kingwood will be led by junior QB Greg Williamson (5-9, 165, 4.7) with OT C.J. Simon (6-3, 265) will anchor a very young offensive line. Junior RB Taylor Olejniczak (5-9, 155, 4.6) will get his touches out of the backfield.

If the young players don't step up for the Mustangs this season, they could wind up in the bottom tier of the district.

A look at Pearland

The Oilers were 12-1 last season and return six offensive and six defensive starters from a year ago. Senior offensive tackle Ian Gray (6-8, 330), OL Derek Hoffpauir, OL Alex Feas, and TE Charles Plasterwill anchor the offensive line.

Defensively, the Oilers will be strong up front led by DE Trevor Sealy, LB Alex Deason, DE Jeff Phillips, DB Claudius Smithers, ;and DE Sam Ukwuachu will provide strong leadership on that side of the ball.

As has always been the case - the foundation has been laid as Pearland will reload as the favorite to win another District 22-5A crown.

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