Football previews provided by Dave Campbell's Texas Football
Pearland Oilers24-5A
Coach: Tony Heath.
Lettermen R/L: 25/30.
2009: 8-3 DI bi-district finalist/6-1 district.
Starters returning O/D: 6/4.
Players to watch: WR Myles Kanipes, DE Sam Ukwuachu, RB Dustin Garrison, QB Trey Anderson, OL Derek Hoffpauir.
Top juniors: ILB Kendall Ehrlick, RB Jackie Robinson.
Top sophomores: SS Jacob Gardner.
Other prospects: OL Kyle Mulligan, WR Brock Hartson, OL Fermin Sanchez, OL Daniel Weiskopf-Davila, DL Chris Alexander, CB Charleston Higganbotham, DL Daryl Jimmerson, DE Kaylon Collins, CB Kevin Washington, TE Jack Staudt, FS Daquan Roberts, ILB John Gibberman.
2010 notes: A season ago, Pearland faced a tall task: replacing 4,000-plus yards and 54 TDs of offense from a graduated RB and QB. Good news: 14-year head coach Heath did that and more, breaking in stars-to-be in WR Kanipes (522 yards receving, 77 tackles, 3 INTs), the do-it-all district MVP, and RB Garrison (1,337 yards, 11 TDs rushing). And best yet, a new QB emerged, too: Anderson (129-243-1,756-6, 14 TDs passing), who now returns with a number of weapons on offense. The OL, however, is going to be a bit raw, meaning the skill spots will have to carry the load early on. The defense brings back its '09 star, as well: DE Ukwuachu, who will challenge for a second district defensive MVP.
