Shadow Creek edges Pearland 24-20 with late rally

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE - Pearland senior wide receiver Christian Pitts catches a 31-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the game vs Shadow Creek. Pitts also started the game off with a 69-yard kickoff return to put the Oilers deep into Shadow Creek territory. Pearland would hold a 20-10 lead into the fourth quarter until the Sharks offense finally broke out with their trademark big plays for two late touchdowns to get the win 24-20. Up next for Pearland is a road trip to face Alief Elsik while Shadow Creek is at home for Alief Hastings. Both games are Friday September 30 at 7 p.m. (Photo by Lloyd Hendricks)

The No. 5 area-ranked Shadow Creek Sharks came to The Rig to face the Pearland Oilers and left knowing they had been in a battle after having to pull off a late fourth quarter rally to get a 24-20 district win.

Shadow Creek trailed for most of the game until sophomore quarterback Jacorey Watson got loose on a sensational 59-yard scoring run that gave the Sharks a 24-20 lead following the PAT by Aiden Bui withhe Sharks are playing without senior signal-caller Duke Butler, but they have found a real jewel in the play of young Watson who has stepped up big time to show he is going to be the future for Shadow Creek.

Pearland struck the first blow as senior Christian Pitts returned the opening kickoff 62-yards to the Sharks 26. On the first offensive play, sophomore quarterback Jackson Hamilton flipped a pass to Pitts for a 26-yard touchdown. Junior Jackson Stagg drilled the ball through the uprights for a 7-0 lead with 17 seconds gone in the first quarter.

The Sharks responded with a 5-play, 57-yard drive that came to an end when Ashton Hampton recovered a fumble which gave the ball back to the Oilers at their own 22.

Pearland used a 10-play, 53-yard drive that stalled at the Sharks 25. Stagg promptly booted a 42-yard field goal with 4:34 left in the opening period giving the Oilers a 10-0 lead.

Shadow Creek came back with a drive of their own to the Pearland 14. Bui capped off the 7-play, 59-yard scoring drive with a 39-yard field goal with :36 seconds left in the opening quarter to close the gap to 10-3.

After a Pearland punt, Shadow Creek was again turned the ball over to the Oilers on an interception by Jackson LeBlanc at the Pearland 35, but the Sharks defense forced a punt after three plays netted two yards.

With 8:47 remaining in the second frame, Shadow Creek quickly struck paydirt on a 78-yard scoring jaunt by Jacob Washington to tie up the game at 10-10 with 8:13 left in the first half.

Pearland responded with a 11-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in a 23-yard field goal by Stagg for a 13-10 lead with 4:20 remaining in the second quarter. The Oilers would end the first half with the three-point lead at intermission.

Shadow Creek opened up the second half with an interception by Pearland’s Kyle Wallace. The Oilers would turn it into a 9-yard scoring run by Kennedy Lewis and a 20-10 lead following the PAT by Stagg with 11:47 left in the fourth quarter.

After the two teams traded punts, Shadow Creek began their next possession at their own 16. With 6:49 remaining in the game, Shadow Creek was flagged for holding. Watson dropped back and found Joshua Best open in the middle of the field. Best avoided a couple of tackles and turned the pass completion into an 84-yard touchdown. Bui hit the PAT and the score was 20-17.

The Oilers were unable to move the ball following the kickoff and Shadow Creek got the ball back on their own 41 following a punt.

Watson dropped back, found an opening in the middle of the Pearland defense and raced 59-yards for the eventual winning score. Bui hit the PAT and the 24-20 final score was posted in favor of the Sharks with 4:58 left in the game.

Leading the Sharks was Watson who was 11-of-22 passing for 197 yards and one TD and two INTs. He also had 62 yards rushing on 11 carries and a score for a total of 259 yards.

Washington had 141 yards rushing on 11 carries and one TD while Tylik Burton had 57 yards on 10 totes.

Best had 88 yards receiving on two catches and one TD.

Leading Pearland was Hamilton who was 12-of-25 passing for 128 yards and one TD and one INT.

Lewis had 62 yards rushing on 13 carries and one TD.

Pitts had four catches for 58 yards and one score.

Pearland will travel to Crump Stadium to face Alief Elsik on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Shadow Creek will host Alief Hastings at Freedom Field on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.