C.E. King stops Pearland 45-7 in non-district contest

The outcome of the game between Pearland and C.E. King didn’t end the way that new head coach B.J. Gotte wanted, but it was another indicator on the progress that the Oilers are making under the new coaching regime.

“I was proud of the effort the kids played with over all four quarters,” Gotte said. “When you are playing a team as physically talented as CE King, it is important to match their physical intensity as well as be disciplined in our play. “The margin for error against a team like that is so small, so when you make mistakes in assignments, they will make you pay.”

Pearland forced King to punt on their first possession of the game after three plays giving the Oilers good field position at their own 39, but a lost fumble on the first play gave the Panthers the ball back at the Pearland 40.

It took only one play for the Panthers to score on a 40-yard dash to the end zone for a 7-0 lead with 9:45 left in the opening stanza.

After the Oilers failed to make a first down on their second possession, King set up their next drive at their own 23.

One play later, the Panthers scored on a 77-yard pass from QB Denim Johnson to WR Rae’G Dailey with 8:13 left in the first quarter making the score 14-0.

While Pearland was struggling against the King defense, the Panthers closed out the first half with two more scores for a 28-0 lead at intermission.

It was more of the same in the second half as King built a 42-0 lead with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Pearland finally got on the scoreboard thanks to special teams.

Pearland junior wide receiver Patrick Bridges shook off a C.E. King defender on his way to a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown. The punt hit a C.E. King player in the helmet and was deflected toward the sideline where Bridges was able to scoop it up and run for the score. The play was a bright spot in a mostly dismal game for the Oilers as they fell 45-7.

QB Jackson Hamilton was 9-of-27 passing for 105 yards.

LaDamion McDowell had 10 carries for 33 yards and Joseph Garcia had four totes for 32 yards.

Christian Pitts had three grabs for 60 yards.

Zander Winter led the defense with six solo tackles and seven assisted stops for a total of 13. Matthew Lumpkin and Cole Anderson each had nine tackles.

“It will be important for us to continue to work hard during the open week so we can be at our best next week in our first district game,” Gotte said. “We will be playing a very talented and well coached Shadow Creek team, so it will be important for us to continue to improve in all phases of the game.”

Pearland is open this week and will host the Shadow Creek Sharks on Friday, September 23 at The Rig at 7:00 p.m.

ON THE WAY TO THE PAY STATION – Pearland junior wide receiver Patrick Bridges shakes off a C.E. King defender on his way to a 52-yard punt return for a touchdown.  The punt hit a C.E. King player in the helmet and was deflected toward the sideline where Bridges was able to scoop it up and run for the score.  The play was a bright spot in a mostly dismal game for the Oilers as they fell 45-7.  This week is a bye for the Oilers and will give them extra preparation time for the district opener vs Shadow Creek on Friday, Sep 23 at The Rig at 7:00 p.m.