Vitals:

    It probably seems bold to rank a team that lost roughly 90% of its production on offense to graduation from a state semi-finalist team in 2006, but Pearland grabs a spot in our rankings despite that.  Why?  A big reason Pearland appears in the countdown is because nine of their eleven defensive starters return.  The Oilers will have one of the state’s best defensive front sevens, and the secondary features a couple of Division 1 prospects as well.

    Kasey Carrier will take over at running back as a junior this fall.  Carrier backed up Fozzy Whittaker last season, and averaged over eight yards per carry.  Also, leading receiver (also  a junior) Kevin Miller is back.  Senior TE Kevin Davis is a Division 1 prospect.  Defensively, take your pick.  Senior DB Nick Saenz is a Division 1 talent, and earned all-district honors as a junior.  Senior DE Bernard Obi and senior LB Gary Robertson accent Pearland’s leadership on this side of the ball.

    The defense looks set with the large amount of returning experience, and the main question will be whether or not the offense can pick up the slack and be productive enough to keep Pearland competitive against the better teams they play.  Carrier appears more than capable of stepping into the role.  Also, with proven players like Miller and Davis back also, the Oilers may end up better off on this side of the ball than most would think.

The Bottom Line:

2007 Schedule

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Forecast:

Defensive Experience, Very talented skill players

Inexperienced Offense

Favorite in district,
Could be scary if new starters on offense step up

Top Players: