Pearland (11-0) vs Dickinson (11-0), 7 p.m. Friday at Webster’s Challenger-Columbia Stadium: It’s not often you get a matchup of undefeated, top 10 teams in the area round of the playoffs, but such is life in Region III in the 6A-Division I bracket.
Pearland had no troubles in its playoff opener as the Oilers raced past Fort Bend Travis 59-27. PHS scored three plays into the game and never looked back. ATH Ja’Maurey Champion, who can play multiple spots, did his damage at RB with three scores on the night over 150 yards rushing. QB Jake Westmoreland tossed three TDs and DB Ed Smith picked off two passes, returning one for a score.
Pearland’s defense played well in the first three quarters as well. A couple of mistakes did keep this one closer than it should have been, as a PHS fumble gave Travis a short field that led to a score, and Pearland allowed a kick return for a score as well.
Dickinson finally exercised the demon that was Humble Atascocita. After losing six straight times to the Eagles, the Gators finally knocked them off in a 51-47 shootout a week ago.
With their top two running backs sidelined with injuries, it was sophomore Jayse Washington – a WR turned RB - who stoles the show for the Gators. He rallied 195 yards on the ground and three scores and added 86 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Senior QB Lorenzo Aguirre had a big night as well with 341 yards through the air and two scores.
It was a good news/bad news scenario for Dickinson’s defense, which allowed 564 yards of offense and 47 points, but they buckled down in the fourth quarter pitching a shutout, including a massive goal-line stand late in the game while clinging to a four-point lead.
Pearland’s defense is the key in this game. They are big, fast and physical, and if they can keep the Dickinson ground game bottled up and make them a one-dimensional team, that’s the key.
Dickinson is battle-tested with wins over Atascocita, Katy, CE King and Cy-Fair. That experience in these types of close margin playoff games is the difference.
Stepp’s Pick: Dickinson by 3
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