by The Keller Indians remain undefeated (4-0) this season as they score a 16-point lead over the V.R. Eaton Eagles (2-2) at Keller ISD Stadium on Friday, with a 36-20 victory in the District 4-6A opener.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle to put up points.
The Indians scored an impressive first touchdown with a 30-yard pass by quarterback Beckham Robinson to wide receiver Will Adams, who ran it in for an additional 10 yards, putting the Indians up 7-0 with 11:30 left in the first.
After the Eagle quarterback Noah Lugo threw a 30-yard pass to wide receiver Talan Holmes to put them on the line, Lugo ran the ball in for a touchdown to even the score, 7-7.
The Indian’s backup running back Kyle Owens went in for starter Cameron Raymond after an injury put him on the sidelines. Owens ran the ball for 11 yards on a 2nd and 6 to put the Indians in the lead with 14-7.
The Eagles lost 18 yards after Indians linebacker Andrew Jurasek sacked Lugo at the Eagles 10, making it 4th and 18.
The Indians had no successful drives after the punt return, turning the ball over to the Eagles.
The Eagle started at the 24-yard line, due to an offsides call. Lugo ran the ball for a 76-yard touchdown, leading to a tied end of the first quarter, 14-14.
The second quarter came to a shocking start with Robinson throwing an interception to Eagles safety Ben Self at the Indians 2, who ran to the 30 for a gain of 29 yards.
Moments later, the Eagles fumbled the ball, leading to a recovery by the Indians defensive lineman Rodney Onadari. The Indians kicker Sam Keltner uses the momentum to score a field goal with 10:43 left, the Indians up 17-14.
With 7:23 left in the second quarter, the Indians wide receiver Drew Roberts uses a 3rd and 12 to run 60 yards for a touchdown, putting up a lead of 10, 24-14.
The Eagles decided to go for it with a 4th on Indians 22 and 3 when the Eagles fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Indians as 4:40 remained.
Both teams lacked any real momentum on their next few drives, putting up no points.
As time counted down, the Indians had a 1st and 10 with 1:50 left, running back Ryan Ventura, punched it in for a gain of 39 yards and a touchdown for the Indians, 31-14.
An unsportsmanlike conduct call by the Eagles put the ball on the Eagles 21. Lugo throws two consecutive incomplete passes, but a holding call against the Indians puts the Eagles at the 26. The Eagles ran out of options and the half ended with the Indians up by 17, 31-14 HALF.
The first few minutes of the second half had a slow start with little gain by either team.
After several gainful drives by the Eagles, the ball was run in for a gain of two, making it a touchdown by running back Demarion Williams. With 7:41 left, the Eagles attempted a 2-point conversion that was shut down by Ventura at defensive back.
Eagles were down by 11, 31-20. The Indians got the ball at the 48, and after receiving a flag on a 3rd and 12, lost steam.
The Eagles decided to use a 4th and 6 to score a 58-yard touchdown pass but were called back after the Eagles were flagged for an illegal block. They were unable to gain any points after the reversed drive.
The beginning of the fourth quarter allowed the Indians to take the ball back and use a 4th and 3 to add points to the scoreboard with a field goal by Keltner for 26 yards, 34-20.
Neither team had any gains until the Eagles had the ball at the Indians 14 with 4:25 left. Lugo lost the ball, and in an attempt to recover it in the endzone, scored 2 points for the Indians, 36-20.
With 1:10 left, the game was delayed for 45 minutes after players collided with a coach on the sidelines, injuring him.
The game resumed with the Eagles ball and a 31-yard gain by Holmes with 1:01 left. Eagles pushed forward on 2nd and 10 for a gain of 21, but due to an unsportsmanlike conduct call, they were pushed back 15 yards to Indians 29. With a 3rd and 4, 23 seconds tick down on the clock when the ball is intercepted by defensive back Jace Franke.
Indians ended the game with a 16-point lead, 36-20. The Indians’ offense put up impressive numbers with a combined total of 277 rushing yards. Owens showed out with a total of 37 rushing attempts for 196 yards.
The Indians will take on Keller Central in an away game next week, on Friday, at 7 p.m., testing their undefeated record. The Eagles will try their luck away against Fossil Ridge on Thursday at 7 p.m.
