Cobbs simply too much for Keller in Denton Guyer’s victory

Keadreic Cobbs ran roughshod through the Keller defense while his teammates took advantage of Indians turnovers in Denton Guyer’s 31-17 win on Friday night at Keller ISD Stadium.

Cobbs finished with 23 carries for 186 yards and two scores, and caught a 13-yard TD pass.

Keller had two interceptions, recovered two onside kicks and converted a fake punt for a first down. There would be only three points to show for the takeaways and recoveries.

The Indians opened the game with a 60-yard scoring drive but their lead was short-lived.

Guyer (4-3, 3-1 in District 5-6A) returned the favor on their first drive. Eli Stowers hit Cobbs on a 13-yard pass for the score.

After Keller (5-2, 2-2 district 5-6A) drove to the Wildcats’ 26, a fumble set up Guyer with the ball and a drive which would end with Stowers finishing from 8-yards out.

On the ensuing kickoff, Keller again gave the ball away, setting up Guyer from the Indians’ 21.

The Keller defense stiffened and yielded just a 21-yard Cole Schroeder field goal.

The evening was epitomized for Keller later in the second quarter when Mike Brinton intercepted a Stowers pass and made a sizable return deep into Wildcats territory. But Brinton fumbled and gave Guyer a first down just two yards back from where they started the play.

Guyer led at halftime, 17-7.

To start the second half, Keller’s Brinton picked off his second pass. But the Indians would have to punt.

Cobbs scored on the Wildcats’ drive from 6-yards out putting Guyer up 24-7.

But Keller wasn’t giving up.

The Indians mounted a 69-yard drive, capped by a 24-yard Sloan Henry-to-Damon Smith scoring pass.

The trials continued, though, for Keller.

Even when facing a 4th-and-1 from the Guyer 5, successive penalties made Keller settle for a Matt DeWitt 27-yard field goal. That brought the score to within 24-17.

Guyer would then take almost seven minutes off the clock before Cobbs sealed the win with a 23-yard TD run.

Game was over when: Cobbs topped the cake for Guyer on his 23-yard scoring run at the conclusion of an almost seven-minute drive when Keller was needing the ball and down seven points.

Play of the game: Cobbs’ 67-yard run to put Guyer in position to even the score at 7-7 kept Keller’s enthusiasm in check.

Offensive player of the game: Cobbs’ 186 yards and three scores were monumental and even more so coupled with the offensive control he afforded the Wildcats. His Keller counterpart, Enoch Ntchobo, ran for 162 yards and a score.

Defensive player of the game: Brinton’s two interceptions were big for Keller. But the Guyer defensive front stuffed Ntchobo several times.

Unsung hero of the game: Guyer QB Cole Schroeder kept the offense lethal. For Keller, Justin White caught six passes for 80 yards while teammate Damon Smith added seven catches for 78 yards and a score.

Moment of the game: Keller’s Britton Melton grabbed an onside kick in stride in the fourth quarter setting the Indians up in perfect position to add a score. They’d have to settle for a field goal.

Big picture outlook: Coming into the game, Keller, Guyer and Fossil Ridge were all at 2-1, with Carroll at 3-0. Guyer now has the inside track to a top-half district finish while Keller must still scrap for their repeat playoff appearance.

What’s next? Keller takes on Trophy Club Nelson, Friday at Northwest ISD Stadium at 7 pm. Nelson just picked up its first win of the season over Keller Timber Creek. For Denton Guyer, they’ll host Haslet Eaton on Thursday at 7 pm at the C.H. Collins Athletic Complex.