Inside the 25: Experience the theme for state's 15th-ranked teams

CLASS 5A's #15: Pearland
2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: NR/NR
2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 10-2/DI area finalists
Why They're Ranked: Pearland finished the season "NR" last year, bested by its playoff nemesis once again in what might be the most under-written rivalry in Texas high school football. In each of the past four seasons, Pearland and North Shore have collided in the postseason. Only once in that time (2006) has Pearland advanced past North Shore. In each of the past two meetings, the winner has advanced to the state semis. This year, their meeting could be delayed. Though their districts are paired to meet in the first round of the playoffs, if each gets the top DI seed as expected, they can't play until the fourth round. All that to say this: Pearland has a team capable of going that distance. A reputation for churning out quality RBs only gets stronger with Kasey Carrier, a player similar in style to predecessor Fozzy Whitaker, now at UT. Carrier averaged 7.3 ypc in racking up 1,410 yards and 14 TDs last year. He returns with his starting QB, Samuel Allen (81-129-1,095, 9 TDs), but coach Tony Heath must repair his OL. One starter returns, Jack Andrews, but Pearland also has the early leader for the state's top junior lineman in 6-8, 305-pound Ian Gray, whose father started at Notre Dame. The defense lost some but not all of its playmakers; third-year starting DB Jarrod Stewart (81 tackles, 2 INTs) and LB Jordan Brogden (62 tackles), Heath said, will lead the five returning starters of a unit that held seven opponents under 10 points. With a relatively manageable schedule, Pearland is a strong contender to make a run at a perfect regular season.

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