Three first quarter turnovers, ambush Deer Park
Galena Park – Much like last season, Pearland had little trouble finding the end zone. However, this game was special, defensively. For the third time this year, the Oilers have held an opponent to seven points or less.
Outside LB Justin Phillips recorded two interceptions, and defending Class 5A Division I State Champion Pearland Oilers rolled into the Class 5A Region III Semifinals, by thumping Deer Park Deer 47-7 on Friday night at Galena Park ISD Stadium.
The victory returns the Oilers (10-2) to the region III semifinals for the second straight season.
Three consecutive first quarter turnovers, converted into 20 points, ultimately sent the Deer into hiding. Including Phillips 35-yard interception TD return, which was the first of two, to give the Oilers all they would need, leading 13-0 with7:21 left in the first quarter. His first INT gave Pearland great field position at the Deer Park 47 and resulted in an 18-yard scoring run by WR Kevin Washington.
“I thought our kids came well prepared. I thought our coaches did a great job preparing them,” said Tony Heath, Pearland’s coach, they came out and set the tone. The defense set the tone for the night. Justin Phillips our LB got that big interception and gave us opportunities on offense to create something after that.”
Pearland’s speedy defense showed early, beating the Deer to the point of attack. A surplus of DBs in Cornelius Barber, Devante Dotson, Derek Hutchinson DyQuan Roberts complimented its front seven, who applied pressure to Deer Park’s offense throughout the evening.
“We got ourselves in a big bind with all the turnovers at the start of the game and spotted them 20 points. They’re too good, to be giving points to. They kind of got on a role. There good on defense, their two defensive tackles, we had a hard time dealing with those guys tonight and the two inside backers are very good. Tonight we got beat by a better football team. I give them all the credit. They did a great job and we didn’t,” said Chris Massey, Deer Parks coach.
A special team mishap cost the Deer its third turnover, when the ball landed in an open area, bounced off a Deer Park player, and was recovered by Oilers RB Chase Miller at the Deer 24. All after the Oilers kicked off.
Two plays later, Jackie Robinson bolted up the middle, for a 10-yard score and Pearland led 20-0 after Chad Cobb’s PAT.
With the tone of the game sitting on a solid foundation, Deer Park (10-2) never recovered from the deep-pitted hole. However, with1:28 left in the first quarter, the Deer got aboard, with a 12-yard pass from Rainer to Clay De La Garza, who caught the ball at the two, where he was stopped, until receiving a helping hand from teammates as he cross the end zone line.
Pearland racked up 454 yards of total offense. Nearly unstoppable, the Oilers increased its deficit, 33-7 on Emry Flanagan’s 22-yard TD catch from Garner.
“We came out fired up; we knew we had to jump on them. We had to keep hitting them in the mouth with everything. Therefore, when we scored, we kept piling it on. This is a different team from last season but we still have the same chemistry. We work hard on bonding together and since we bond together we’re like one big family,” said Kevin Washington, Pearland’s WR.
In the second half, the Oilers scored two more times before reserves entered the game.
RB Jackie Robinson led the Oilers in rushing with 126 yards on 17 carries and 2-TDs; QB Garner was 7 of 13 for 144 yards with a TD, 2-INTs and five carries for 41 yards. Kevin Washington caught two passes for 63 yards and a TD and had two carries for 24 yards and a TD.
“We have many different kids we try to distribute the ball to. Our kids have grown and matured each week to be a better football player, to takes personal responsibility of this team. They all have ownership and with ownership, I feel like they’re doing a great job of committing their selves each day so they can have a good game on Friday nights,” said Coach Heath.