Instant classic: Keller and Lewisville battle it out in three overtimes. Who won?

Keller saw a 13-0 lead evaporate and lost to Lewisville, 33-27, in three overtimes in Division I bi-district action at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex on Friday.

Lewisville (9-2) will advance to take on the winner of Duncanville and South Grand Prairie in the area round.

Keller couldn’t answer the score in the third OT after the Farmers punched it in in just four plays. The Indians held on the required 2-point try.

The Indians started the final series with a 9-yard sack of Sloan Henry and came up short on 4th and 14 when Damon Smith’s pass sailed out of the end zone just out of reach of a Keller receiver.

Keller finishes the season at 8-3.

But it looked promising early for the Indians.

Keller opened the scoring on the first drive of the game, going 84 yards on 14 plays. Matt DeWitt took it over from the 1 for the Indians and with the kick, led 7-0.

Keller’s next drive was bittersweet. In the process of driving 51 yards, starting quarterback Sloan Henry was sacked and had to leave the game with a leg injury. He wouldn’t return until the first OT period in limited action.

The Indians moved Damon Smith under center and were able to add a few more yards before having to punt. The kick pinned Lewisville back inside their own 20.

After forcing another Farmers’ punt, Keller was faced with 4th and 3 from the Lewisville 44. A conversion on the play set up Keller at the Farmers’ 11. From there, Smith hit Justin White in the end zone for a score.

A failed 2-point conversion for Keller left the score at 13-0.

Keller’s Tyler Atkinson picked off an AJ Newsome pass but the Indians could not add to their baker’s dozen lead.

Even with a two-score lead, it was Keller’s defense that was making the difference.

Keller held Lewisville to just 50 total yards in the first half (37 rushing and 13 passing).

The absence of Henry from the Keller offense didn’t slow the Indians in a noticeable fashion. The rushing game was strong for Keller, led by Enoch Ntchobo.

In the third quarter, Lewisville took advantage of Keller turnovers to put up 14 points to take the lead, 14-13.

They’d increase the score to 20-13 before Ntchobo equaled the score when he ran in from seven yards out.

Henry’s re-entry to the game in OT was gutsy, hitting Smith on a 19-yard pass to get things started. Smith would run it in for the score.

The second OT saw no scoring with Keller fumbling away their possession.

Game was over when: Not until the fourth down pass hit outside the back of the end zone was Keller out of it.

Play of the game: Keller almost returned an interception in OT for a score, but was pushed out of bounds at the Farmers’ 10.

Offensive player of the game: Ntchobo finished with 32 carries, 137 yards and a score for Keller.

Defensive player of the game: The Keller linebacking crew was stuffing the run much of the game. The Farmers opened it up in the second half, but the defense kept Keller in contention.

Unsung hero of the game: Smith stepping in at QB did a great job, considering what was at stake. He played well and his running complemented the offense.

Moment of the game: Keller fumbled a kickoff return just after Lewisville had scored, setting them up for the go-ahead TD drive.

Stat of the Game: The 50 yards of offense for Lewisville in the first half was remarkable.