Thursday, November 13, 2025
Oilers more mature for the 2010 football campaign
July 27, 2010
PEARLAND — Pearland will open the 2010 football season with a more experienced team, especially at the skill positions. And for the 11th straight year - the Oilers are picked to advanced to the post-season in their new District 24-5A.
The Oilers were in 24-5A during the 2006 and 2007 seasons where they were league champions in 2007. The 2006 squad won the 5A Region III Division I title and advanced to the 5A Division I state semifinals.
Pearland shared the District 22-5A championship with Pasadena Memorial last season.
The realignment by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) moved the Oilers back to their familiar District 24-5A foes.
Inexperience plaqued the Oilers last season despite going 8-3. Pearland lost their first season operner in nine years to Kingwood 9-7 as the Mustangs kicked a field goal with 41 seconds left in the game. The Oilers won their next two games by a total of seven points with each win coming in the final minute.
There are several key players returning for their senior season which includes Mr. All-Purpose, Myles Kanipes, who was the District 22-5A Most Valuable Player last season. Kanipes plays on both sides of the ball and steps in wherever he is most effective.
Kanipes has that burning zeal and fire in his belly as very few players who have ever donned a Pearland jersey. It is going to be fun to watch him again this season as a senior.
On offense - Kanipes had 29 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He hit 9-of-19 passing for 136 yards and one TD - the game winner against Kempner with 41.3 seconds left in the game for a 22-21 win. He led the team in receiving with 34 catches for 538 yards and seven TDs.
On defense - Kanipes had 38 unassisted tackles, 25 assisted stops, three pass break ups, one caused fumble, two tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, three pass interceptions, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, and a punt return for another score.
Quarterback Trey Anderson will return for his senior campaign after putting up some impressive numbers his junior season.
Anderson hit 129-of-243 passing for 1,756 yards, 14 TDs, and six INTs. He carried the ball 20 times for 81 yards. Anderson set a new PHS single-game passing record with 311 yards against Sam Rayburn.
Senior running back Dustin Garrision was the leading ball carrier with 202 totes for 1,337 yards and 11 TDs. He caught 14 passes for 185 yards and one score. The All-District first-team player will be one of the key pieces to Pearland's success this year.
Senior defensive end Sam Ukwuachu is another with a lot of heart and grit that was influencial on both sides of the ball.
The 6-4, 210 Ukwuachu was named the "Co-Defensive MVP" by the district coaches after his overall performance on defense -- though he was also an impact player on offense too.
The lanky, quick Ukwuachu, who has given a verbal commitment to Boise State, had one pass disruption, seven QB hurries, eight assisted tackles, 24 unassisted stops, four pass break ups, four sacks, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, and one interception. He also caught nine passes for 242 yards and two TDs.
All-District first-team senior center Derek Hoffpauir will anchor the offensive line to help protect Anderson and open up running lanes for the running game.
Ukwauchu will get help on the defensive side from All-District junior linebacker Kendall Ehrlich.
Pearland has six offensive and four defensive starters returning which also include offensive lineman Kyle Mulligan, tight end Jack Staudt, wide receiver Brock Hartson, offensive lineman Fermin Sanchez and Daniel Weiskoff-Davila, and running back Jackie Robinson.
On defense, the Oilers will look to free safety Daquan Roberts, Inside linebacker John Gibberman, defensive lineman Chris Alexander, cornerback Charles Higganbotham, defensive lineman Daryl Jimmerson, defensive end Kaylon Collins, and cornerback Kevin Washington to step up big against opposing offensives.
Pearland is a pre-season pick to advance to the post-season for the 11th straight year. Head coach Tony Heath knows that if his troops work hard, then they will be rewarded with another playoff run.
The success of the Oilers continues as they are the 10th winningest football program in the entire state, regardless of class, over the past 10 years. Only Katy and North Shore have more wins than Pearland in the Houston area during that time.
Heath and Co. will focus on one game at a time which begins when the Oilers host Houston Madison on Friday, August 27 at 7:00 p.m. at The Rig.
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