In the 2006 season, the Pearland Oilers showed that they would dominate teams with their running game, yet showed they could pass when needed to. In the season opener against Kempner on Friday night, they showed they would stick with the same game plan from last year. This year, Kasey Carrier will be filling the shoes of Foswhitt Whittaker, who carried the Oiler offense last season.

Carrier rushed for 192 yards on 30 carries and scored the final touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter to give the Oilers a 13-9 lead. Carrier not only scored the game winning touchdown but did so in style, taking the rock 50 yards to the house and giving the Pearland defense momentum they would need to finish off the Cougars.

“This kid (Carrier) wants to be the one to continue the tradition of the Pearland running game, and he knows he can do it,” explained Pearland coach Tony Heath.

The Cougars took a 9-7 lead in the third quarter as kicker Ryan Clayton booted a 50-yard field goal right through the uprights. Knowing Clayton's power, a missed extra point after a 62-yard touchdown run by running back Kendall Blackshear, would soon come back to haunt them. In the final minutes of the game, the Cougars had the ball inside the 30 yard line, but the Oiler defense proved too much. The botched extra point made it a four point game instead of a three point game that would have given the Cougars an opportunity to kick the field goal instead of going for it on fourth and long.

“What a job our defense did tonight,” said Heath. “These kids overcame some adversity tonight by staying calm and relaxed to get the job done.”

It was Jarred Stewart who set the tone for the Oiler defense, as he earned the first score of the game with a 70-yard interception return late in the first quarter. The Oilers only gave up 120 yards of total offense, of which half came on one play.

There were a total of 12 passing yards in the entire game, all of which came from Pearland. It was Carrier leading the way in the receiveing category as well with one catch for 23 yards. Kempner put a great a lot of pressure on quarterback Sam Allen forcing a couple of sacks and one interception. However, the Cougars couldn't quite fine enough offense to pull off the victory.

After the game, Coach Heath told his team he was pumped about the defensive showing but also pointed out that the offense needed some work.

Pearland did a good job of coming back after a 30-minute weather delay to make sure they started the season off right. Even though they were down 9-7, they knew the game was not over.

“These kids know how to play four quarters, and they won't ever stop fighting,” said Heath.

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