By Brian Gosset
For the first time since 2019, Keller Central took down Byron Nelson following the Chargers’ 47-34 win at KISD Stadium on Thursday night.
Byron came into the game having won the last five meetings from 2021 through 2025. The Bobcats won last year’s game 42-28.
Central moves to 4-1 overall while Byron drops to 2-3.
Both teams are 1-1 in District 4-6A.
The Chargers and Bobcats combined for 78 points in the last three quarters after Central only led 3-0 in the opening period. Jaxson Davis was good on a 29-yard field goal with 8:57 on the first-quarter clock.
Byron took a 6-3 lead just nine seconds into the second period on a Ben Odom 44-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Waldrip while the extra point was no good.
However, that would be the only lead the Bocbats would have in the game. Central responded with 24 points in the second quarter and took a 27-13 lead at halftime. Isaiah Taylor and Spencer Martin rumbled in for touchdown runs to push the Central lead to 17-6.
A second Odom to Waldrip connection for Byron got the Bobcats within 17-13 with 4:33 left in the half, but two more scoring drives got Central up 14 during the break. Davis drilled his second field goal from 25 yards and Taylor found Ericia Makaya from 73 yards out with four seconds to go.
Byron got within one score two separate times in the second half (27-20, 34-27). The Bobcats got touchdown runs from Tre Green and Macavion Hill on both possessions.
Central’s three touchdowns after the break came from Braylen Dixon (19-yard reception from Taylor), Levi Walker (3-yard run) and Ayden Tucker (1-yard run).
The Chargers’ final score came with 6:44 left in the fourth quarter to lead 47-27. Byron got one more score from Hill (17-yard run) that made it 47-34 with 3:24 remaining.
Team stats were similar with Byron gaining 392 yards on 66 plays while Central amassed 401 yards on 59 plays. Taylor went 12 of 18 for 178 yards and added 69 yards on 11 attempts. Dixon made three catches for 116 yards.
Byron was led by Hill’s 80 yards on 17 carries while Odom went 19 of 27 for 191 yards. Waldrip led all receivers with 119 yards on eight catches.
Central has a bye in Week 6 before playing Eaton in Week 7 at Northwest ISD Stadium. Byron also has a bye in Week 6 and looks to bounce back on the road in Week 7 against Keller.
