Oilers ready to bring the heat again
Sweating it out in August, Heath has Pearland set to attack this fall
Tony Heath joked that the number one thing to come out of Pearland’s first week of football practice is that his team survived the heat.
It’s funny because other teams have been trying for two decades to survive the heat the Oilers bring during the season. Not many have been successful.
It appears it will be the same story for Pearland’s opponents in 2016 because the Oilers are off to a strong start even if just in practice.
On the first day of practice last week, Heath said 330 kids from freshmen through seniors showed up ready to play. That is a normal number at Pearland, which Tony Heath famously turned from doormat to champion eventually after taking over as head coach in 1997.
“Our kids know if they don’t show up Aug. 1 they probably won’t be part of the program,” Heath said. “Their expectation to be there from day one is very important.”
The first week is all about play insertion. The coaches make sure the players know the base formations and plays on both sides of hte ball. After that they can adjust and game plan for the new opponent each week.
As is the case every season, the Oilers have plenty of talented players to execute those plays in 2016. Several of this year’s headliners are on defense.
Defensive tackle Jordan Crawford had 8.5 sacks among his 110 tackles last season. Linebacker Derek Parrish always seems to be around the ball. Debione Renfro and Niko Afuhaamango should be in for some big plays this season, too.
The other side of the ball will be led by QB Connor Blumrick, who has masterful control of the offense entering his second season. He will get considerable help from running back Davier Pinkston.
“We have some very good talent and some committed kids,” Heath said. “I feel like they can play the game, but some of that talent hasn’t played under the Frida nigh lights yet. We have to take it day by day. The potential is there, but potential hasn’t done anything.”
If the Oilers are going to do anything significant this season it will come against a new slate of district opponents. Dawson is the only known commodity in the newly constructed District 23-6A. Among the newcomers is reigning Class 5A state champion George Ranch.
Alief Taylor and Elsik have fielded strong teams in the recent past. So has Brazoswood.
One thing that has always stood out at Pearland, however is that the Oilers do not get intimidated. Instead, they view themselves as the team to beat in most games.
Before they take the field in a game that matters they have plenty of practice the rest of the month. Part of their preparation includes a pair of scrimmages, including Friday’s home game against Port Arthur Memorial.
Heath said the one thing he is most looking forward to Friday is how the kids approach a competition against another team. It is not about the X’s and O’s at this point. The attitude a player brings after putting on the pads and hitting an opponent carries paramount importance in football.
“I want to see kids get after it, get physical and run to the ball,” Heath said. “I want to see them play football. Will they go the right way or the wrong way? We can get that corrected, but I want to see them compete.” Tennis marathon
This weekend at Friendswood, tennis never stops.
The Mustangs tennis program will host its biennial 48-hour marathon from 4 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday. The goal is to raise money for all aspects of the program - from equipment to travel expenses.
Working in four-hour shifts, Friendswood’s athletes will be at the high school’s courts for every minute of the two consecutive days. The public is invited to join and for a donation amount of their choice can take on the Friendswood players or bring their own opponent.
The event will include a match against Dobie at 6 p.m. Friday. Food trucks will be on site throughout the weekend. There also will be a free clinic conducted by pros from the Bay Area Racquet Club at noon Saturday.
A silent auction and raffle items will be available, too. Some of those items included sports memorabilia signed by J.J. Watt, Warren Moon, DeAndre Hopkins, Brian Cushing, Vince Young, Earl Campbell, Jameis Winston, Jadeveon Clowney, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Dwight Howard and Nolan Ryan.