Keller Central denies Trophy Club Nelson comeback bid in overtime

A 1-yard run on 4th-and-1 in the first overtime gave Keller Central an all-or-nothing win over Trophy Club Nelson, 31-27, at Keller ISD Athletic Complex on Thursday night.

Nelson had come back from a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game with just 4 seconds remaining.

After Fuller Shurtz hit a 41-yard field goal on the first possession of overtime, Central came back to finish what it started, having never trailed in the game.

Central’s Jack Hecker went over the goal line for his fourth TD of the game to send the Chargers home a winner on their homecoming night.

Each team got touchdowns on one-play series on runs of more than 50 yards to highlight the first half.

Central’s Jack Hecker took off for 54 yards to score for the Chargers. He had caught 9-yard pass for a score to boost them to an early 10-0 lead. Devin Brock had knocked through a 28-yard field goal to open the scoring.

Nelson followed suit when Tre’Jon Henderson took off for 55 yards and a score on a subsequent Bobcats first down.

Central (1-4, 1-1) was able to keep Nelson at bay on the strength of three first half takeaways — two interceptions (D.J. Graham and Kacee Williams) and a fumble recovery.

The Chargers held a 17-7 lead at the half.

But Nelson (0-5, 0-2) came back on their first series of the third quarter with a 17-play drive culminating with a 3-yard TD run by Henderson to draw to within 17-14.

Hecker pulled in his second TD pass of the game to give a 24-17 cushion early in the fourth for Central.

Dylan Bell drew the Bobcats within 24-21 after he went 2 yards for a score with 4:37 remaining. It capped another long drive, this time for 16 plays and 76 yards.

Game was over when: It wasn’t until the final play of the first overtime that this game was decided.

Play of the game: Two big plays defined the game. Nelson’s Henderson went on a 39-yard run to put them within field goal position to tie the game. Also, Hecker caught a 12-yard pass to get Central down to the 6-yard line in the first OT for a first down which set up the final score from the 1.

Offensive player of the game: Hecker caught two TDs and ran for two, including the game-winner on the fourth and 1 in OT. Nelson’s Henderson, though, ran for 185 yards on 19 carries.

Defensive player of the game: Central’s Kacee Williams had an interception and was key in pass defense all game long.

Unsung hero of the game: Gavyn White, quarterback for Central, threw for 147 yards, two scores. The stats aren’t outstanding but he led the Chargers when they needed it.

Moment of the game: Central’s head coach, Bart Helsley, could’ve kicked a chip-shot field goal to take the game into a second overtime but opted for the win on fourth-and-1.

Stat of the game: Central committed just two penalties for 20 yards to keep its game efficient.

Big picture outlook: The game was a pivotal win in District 5-6A as the coming schedules will help define the top half of the district and a position for a playoff berth.

What’s next? Central plays Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. as the visitor against Keller Fossil Ridge at the Keller ISD Athletic Complex. Trophy Club Nelson will next play Friday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m., hosting Southlake Carroll at the Northwest ISD Stadium.

This story was originally published October 4, 2018 at 10:20 PM.