Keller drops shortened season opener to Abilene Cooper

Abilene Cooper put up 20 first-quarter points to race ahead of Keller before the game was called with Cooper on top 30-14 with 9:45 left in the third quarter due to an hour-long lightning delay at Abilene’s Shotwell Stadium.

Key players: Cooper quarterback Austin Smith threw for 143 yards on 11 of 20 passing and a touchdown while Cougars running back Tyrees Whitfield added a pair of touchdown runs. Keller running back Liam Ardigo recorded a game-high 102 yards on the ground.

Key stat: With Keller leading 7-6 in the first quarter, Cooper blocked a Keller 34-yard field goal attempt that led to a momentum-shifting 14-0 run for the Cougars.

Records: Abilene Cooper 1-0; Keller 0-1

This story was originally published August 26, 2016 at 11:15 PM with the headline "Keller drops shortened season opener to Abilene Cooper."