The
Pearland Oilers have knocked on the door before but they've never gotten in. That has all changed now.
With a 51-21 win over San Antonio Stevens in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals on Saturday at the Alamodome, the Oilers are headed to a state title game for the first time in their program's history.
They're not the biggest, fastest or the strongest but the results defy those shortcomings. The win helped the Oilers (15-0) remain undefeated for the season and set up a clash with nationally-ranked
Trinity (Euless) for a state championship.
MaxPreps' Texas football playoff bracketsThe Oilers have surprised many with their run. Some had not even picked them to win their district (Clear Springs was the favorite pick by some publications in District 24-5A), but they've gotten better each week to get to this point. Their run through Class 5A Division I Region III included wins over Beaumont West Brook and Katy.
"It takes a little luck, but man creates his own luck," Pearland coach Tony Heath said. "We've had a little luck, a little faith and some hard work. These kids believe in themselves, each other and the coaching staff."
MaxPreps' Top 10 Games of the WeekCOUGARS ROARThe
La Marque Cougars are no stranger to success or state championships. But for a two-year period in which the Cougars missed the playoffs, some wondered whether the times of La Marque dominance was gone.
The Cougars have proven that the tradition lives on.
With a 42-18 win over old foe Corpus Christi Calallen in the Class 4A Division II state semifinals on Friday in the Alamodome, the Cougars clinched their 10th state title game appearance where they will meet
Aledo in the 4A Division II championship game.
Calallen (13-2) was a team that the Cougars (11-3) became quite familiar with in the 1990s, when the Cougars were in the midst of an incredible six-year run that included six straight championship game appearances. The teams met five times in that decade, with the Cougars winning each time.
Friday's win improved the Cougars to 6-0 all-time against Calallen and bettered their record to 10-0 in state semifinal games.
"We've been through some highs and we've been through some lows," La Marque coach Darrell Jordan said. "They know how to play from behind and they know how to play from ahead. We've got a good bunch of kids and they've just played their hearts out."
COLDSPRING RETURNSThe
Coldspring-Oakhurst (Coldspring) Trojans clinched their first state title game berth since 1992 with a 26-14 win over state No. 3 Wimberley in the Class 3A Division II state semifinals.
The Trojans (14-1) will meet
Carthage (13-2) in the 3A Division II state championship game.
TOP PERFORMER* Dustin Garrison, Pearland: The Oilers' senior running back had 41 carries for 269 yards and four touchdowns in the Oilers' 51-21 win over San Antonio Stevens in the Class 5A Division I state semifinals.
Video of Dustin GarrisonLOOKING AHEAD* Euless Trinity vs. Pearland, Class 5A Division I state championship (8 p.m. Saturday, Cowboys Stadium): Pearland (15-0) will make its state title game debut against a Trinity (15-0) team that has won three 5A Division I titles since 2005 and is the defending champion.
* Aledo vs. La Marque, Class 4A Division II state championship (8 p.m. Friday, Cowboys Stadium): La Marque (11-3) has surprised many by reaching this point, but the Cougars are no strangers to title games - this is their 10th title game appearance in school history and they're looking for their sixth title. Aledo is the defending 4A Division II champ and is looking for a repeat.
* Carthage vs. Coldspring, Class 3A Division II state championship (4 p.m. Friday, Cowboys Stadium): Coldspring (14-1) is making its first state title game appearance since 1992, while Carthage (13-2) is the two-time defending 3A Division II champion and is looking for a three-peat.
