Stingy Oilers stifle Longhorns
Pearland relies on its defense to help craft a 13-7 victory over George Ranch.
PEARLAND — Pearland this season may not look like the juggernaut it has in the past, but the Oilers still have grit, determination and defense.
Actually, they have a lot of defense.
Pearland’s defense stood tall on Friday night and set up the offense for its only touchdown in a 13-7 victory over visiting George Ranch.
That has been as important as ever this season. In the first quarter of the first game, quarterback Connor Blumrick tore the Lisfranc ligament in his foot - an injury that is expected to keep him out all season.
Pearland (6-3, 3-2 District 23-6A) didn’t miss a beat that night, winning a close game against Clear Springs. The Oilers have gutted out several victories this season, including Friday’s against George Ranch (4-4, 2-2).
“The defense has been the core of the team this year, especially when we lost Connor,” Pearland coach Tony Heath said. “Tonight, I thought, was really a team win. We got first downs when we needed them. We moved the ball on their defense. Even special teams did well.”
Fourth-down stop
The biggest moment in the game occurred in the closing seconds of the third quarter. George Ranch had fourth-and-inches on the Pearland 21 but was penalized for a false start. On the ensuing play, quarterback Antonio Jackson threw an incomplete pass. Rather than digging in to stop George Ranch in the red zone, Pearland escaped with a 13-7 lead.
The Oilers drove more than 70 yards on the first drive of the third quarter and scored on Jacob Keller’s 21-yard field goal, which ended the scoring. The Oilers limited the Longhorns to three first downs in the second half.
“People have said defense is the heart of this team, but you can’t win without having the other side, too,” defensive end Derek Parrish said. “We do our job so they can do their job. It all works out.”
The defense set up the offense for the winning score in the final two minutes of the second quarter. Jackson fumbled a snap, and Pearland recovered on the George Ranch 25-yard line. On the next play, Davier Pinkston scored on a 25-yard run to give the Oilers a 10-7 lead. Likely to make playoffs
The Longhorns were not good enough in the passing game on a consistent basis to sustain more than one drive. Their only scoring drive came midway through the second quarter when they went 54 yards in six plays. Jackson scored on a 12-yard run.
The Longhorns and Oilers are both likely to make the playoffs. Pearland will be able to say it did so despite losing one of its most valuable players.
“Connor put in such a big offseason. He was really ready to go,” Heath said. “It was a kick in the stomach for all of us, even for Jacob (Whitehead), his backup. We move on. You don’t sit there and cry. You have to move on.”