By Dr. David Davis
As each week has progressed this season, the Pearland Oilers have gotten better and better in all phases of the game.
The Oilers flexed their muscles against the Alief Elsik Rams (3-2, 1-1) in one of the most convincing wins under head coach B.J. Gotte.
Pearland dominated in all three phases of the game on offense, defense, and special teams.
The Oilers scored early and often for the 65-12 Homecoming victory to the delight of the Pearland fans.
“I was pleased with how our kids came out focused on the game, as well as minimizing the distractions that come along with Homecoming,” Pearland head coach B.J. Gotte said. “ As a coach, after a big win you worry about a letdown the next week, but our players did a good job staying focused on the task as at hand and it showed from the kickoff.”
Pearland returned the opening kickoff to their own 30 and marched 70-yards in 11-plays to score on a 15-yard scoring pass from QB Cole Morkovsky to WR Patrick Bridges to take a 6-0 lead after the missed PAT with 6:22 left in the first quarter.
On Elsik’s second play of the game, Pearland’s Ethan Gracia intercepted a pass at the Rams 27.
Two plays later, RB LaDamion McDowell scored on a 5-yard run that was set up by a 22-yard pass from Morkovsky to Juan Marines. Jackson Staff hit the PAT and the Oilers quickly had a 13-0 lead with 4:43 still left in the opening period.
Once again, the Pearland defense came up with another big play when DB Jayden Lacoste picked off the Elsik quarterback for a 19-yard pick-6 and a 20-0 Pearland lead with 3:24 left in the first quarter.
The Oilers defense force a quick three-and-out and it took only four plays for Pearland to score again as McDowell found the pay station on a 1-yard plunge with 11:45 left in the second quarter to make the score 27-0.
The lead increased to 34-0 when the defense scored again when Amari Wilks snatched a fumble out of midair by Elsik and returned it 19-yards for another defensive score to make it 34-0 with 3:17 left in the first half.
On Elsik’s next possession, the Rams fumbled again which was recovered by Jaden Wincher at the Rams 20.
On the first play, Jordan “The Jet” Hernandez carried the ball to the Rams seven-yard line.
Morkovsky called Bridges number on a perfectly thrown pass in the corner for another Oiler TD to increase the lead to 41-0 following the PAT by Stagg.
The Oilers got one last possession with less than a minute to go in the first half. With the ball at the 50 — Morkovsky dropped back and heaved the ball to a steaking Bridges down the right sideline. The sure-handed receiver caught the ball without breaking stride for a last-play touchdown with no time on the clock. Stagg hit the PAT and the Oilers went into the dressing room with a commanding 48-0 advantage.
Pearland scored two more touchdowns in the second half when Morkovsky hooked up with Bridges for his fourth score on an 8-yard scoring toss with 6:03 left in the third to make the score 55-0 and Tate Chisolm scored on a 2-yard run.
Stagg booted a 27-yard field goal that was sandwiched between the two touchdowns making the score 65-12.
Gotte cleared the bench as Elsik scored two times while missing the PAT and a 2-point conversion attempt.
Morkovsky had a banner night passing the ball as he was 16-of-18 for 257 yards and four TDs.
McDowell had 18 carries for 74 yards and two TDs while Chisolm had nine totes for 48 yards and one score.
Bridges led all receivers with eight grabs for 132 yards and four TDs. Hernandez had three grabs for 42 yards and Marines had three catches for 42 yards.
Pearland finished with 451 total yards.
“We still have things that need to be improved on if we want to win the district championship, so it is imperative we continue to prepare with the same intent we started the season with,” Gotte said.
The Oilers (4-1, 2-0) will travel to Alvin Memorial Stadium on Friday, October 6 at 7:00 p.m. to face the Alvin Yellowjackets (2-3, 0-2).
