Keller Central’s final drive, late INT keep Byron Nelson winless

Keller Central gave away two possible scores Friday night but was still able to pull out a pivotal District 5-6A win over Trophy Club Byron Nelson at Northwest ISD Stadium.

It took a late interception by Central’s DJ Graham to seal the 15-14 come-from-behind win.

Central (4-1, 1-1) fumbled twice inside the Bobcats’ 3-yard line but still managed key plays when needed. One of the big plays was a Central safety prior to the Chargers’ drive for the winning score.

It was a slow start for Byron Nelson, which fumbled on its first snap from scrimmage.

That set up Central on the Bobcats’ 36, and the Chargers soon hit on a Braden Roof 27-yard field goal to take an early lead.

But once the Bobcats (0-5, 0-2) settled in on their next series, they drove 60 yards in 10 plays for a score when Hudson White hit Imani George for the final nine yards.

The teams traded missed field goals — Nelson’s kick hitting the upright — before Central finished the half on another field goal. This one was from 31 yards and was sparked by a 30-yard pass from Gavyn White to Justin Garrett.

The teams went in at the half with Nelson holding a 7-6 lead.

It was a 14-point swing that seemed to change the momentum of the game in the third quarter.

Central drove to the Nelson 3 before fumbling the ball away.

Nelson took the ball and went 97 yards for a score and a 14-6 lead. The Bobcats capped the drive on a 10-yard pass from Hudson White to Tanner Arnold.

Central took over but fumbled at the Nelson 1, but Kai Green intercepted a Hudson White pass to give the ball back to the Chargers.

When Central was held on downs at the 2, it set up the safety. But Nelson still had a 14-8 lead with 4:53 to go.

Then the Chargers’ Gavyn White connected with Cameron Jackson on a 56-yard pass to set up Andrew Paul’s 2-yard TD run and the go-ahead PAT.

Gavyn White finished with 232 yards on 17-of-25 passing.

Central will be the home team next Friday as it hosts Keller Fossil Ridge. Nelson will travel to Denton to try its luck against Guyer.

This story was originally published October 4, 2019 at 10:29 PM.