Early offense holds up for Northwest against Keller Central

By John English

Special to the Star-Telegram

JUSTIN -- The Justin Northwest football team made history Friday night at Northwest ISD Stadium, securing its eighth victory for the first time as a Class 5A program.

Northwest defeated Keller Central 19-0, and the Texans (8-2, 6-1 District 4-5A) will enter the playoffs as the top seed in 5A Division II.

Central (6-4, 4-3) also clinched a playoff berth.

Northwest got off to a quick start, scoring on its first two possessions.

The Texans drove 75 yards and scored on a 4-yard run by Dakota Chavis to go up 6-0 early in the first quarter.

The Texans' defense forced Central to punt on its first possession to get the ball back.

Northwest quarterback Draze Lawliss broke a 54-yard run on Northwest's next possession, and Dylan Stubbe's 3-yard touchdown run gave the Texans a 13-0 lead.

Cayden Ihrig tacked on a 40-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Northwest defensive back Sam Jennings halted a Keller Central drive with an interception with one minute left in the first half to preserve Northwest's 16-0 halftime lead.

Ihrig kicked a 35-yard field goal early in the third quarter to make it 19-0.

Both teams were held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

Northwest held Central to 135 yards of total offense, while the Chargers' defense stiffened and held Northwest to just four first downs in the second half.

Chavis finished the game with 75 yards rushing and a touchdown for the Texans.

Northwest will take on Arlington Lamar at 9 p.m. Thursday at Cowboys Stadium in the bi-district round of the playoffs.

Keller Central will play Arlington Bowie in a Division I game at 6 p.m. Thursday at Cowboys Stadium.

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