The Chaparral Bobcats rallied from a one-touchdown deficit to win in head coach Tyrell McCrea’s debut and Harker Heights never let Cedar Park out of its sights then outlasted the Timberwolves in five overtimes, highlighting a mixed bag of results on the opening night of the 2024 football season across Killeen ISD.
After a 0-0 deadlock at halftime, the Bobcats trailed 6-0 going into the fourth quarter. Touchdowns from TK Henry and Kenneth Johnson put Chaparral in front and provided the difference in a 12-6 triumph.
“We battled adversity all day and overcame. I’m proud of these boys for sticking together through the rough and becoming stronger as a family to win this game,” McCrea said. “Effort, attitude and trust are what we preach, and it showed tonight.”
In one of two games in Killeen on Friday, the Knights went toe to toe with Cedar Park at crowded Joseph L. Searles III Stadium and secured a thrilling 45-43 victory.
The Timberwolves led by as much as 10 points (17-7) in the first half but the Knights scored 14 in a row to pull ahead 21-17. That’s when the back and forth began all the way through five overtimes.
“I’m super proud of all of our coaches and kids. That was like a playoff-game atmosphere versus a very good Cedar Park team,” Knights coach Mark Humble said. “Every phase was tested and our team answered the call.”
The lead changed hands three times before the teams went into the extra sessions tied 31-31. Both scored touchdowns and field goals in the first two OTs. Following those possessions, it became a battle of 2-point conversions. After Heights stopped Cedar Park on its try, sophomore quarterback Hudson Humble hit Kai McMillan for the decisive points.
Tyler Johnson, Kristian Nobles and McMillan caught TD passes from Humble in regulation. Running backs Kaden Butler and Zy'Ryian Evans combined for more than 200 yards rushing.
“Winning a five-overtime game is a testament to our training and program. I can't brag on our kids and coaches enough,” Coach Humble added. “Great program win to start the season.”
At Leo Buckley Stadium, Killeen High burst out of its inflatable, onto the field and proceeded to promptly build a 21-0 lead by halftime. However, the Raiders ran the ball effectively in the second half and scored 31 unanswered points to carve out their come-from-behind 31-21 win.
The Roos had their chances to retake the lead, including late in the fourth quarter. Down 24-21 with about 4 minutes left, Killeen had the ball at the Vista Ridge 31, but Luke Berry’s 90-yard pick-six sealed the outcome.
“When you leave good teams in the ball game, so to speak, that’s what happens,” said KHS head coach Josh Sadler, who mentioned that learning to play a full four quarters will be key moving forward. “We’ve got to go fix some things. We have to go find out who we are. When it was good, it was good. When it wasn’t, it turned on us. We have to be more disciplined, and it’s imperative that we take care of that business.”
Senior running back Kardae Hicks got the Roos on the board a 1-yard TD run that capped their opening drive of the season.
The Roos electrified the home fans on the first play of their next series when sophomore quarterback D'Angelo Ingram connected with wide-open Timothy Boatner over the middle for a 79-yard touchdown connection that pushed the lead to 14-0.
Boatner was back in the end zone with 8:06 remaining in the second quarter, reeling in an Ingram pass for a 31-yard score on fourth-and-6 to make it 21-0.
Killeen’s first-half shut out was aided by interceptions from John Wyatt and Keyshawn Campbell.
“I was proud of our defense the way they played, throwing up a goose egg in the first half against a very good football team,” Sadler said. “I thought our offense came out hitting on most cylinders. I mean, I thought it could have been maybe 42 because we had a couple touchdowns and big plays called back. There were a lot of things that we had that could have blown the doors off it.”
Elsewhere on the road, Round Rock held off Shoemaker 22-14, and Copperas Cove overcame Ellison’s early advantage for a 49-34 victory.
The action continues next week when Harker Heights hosts Manor at Buckley Stadium and Shoemaker hosts Nuevo Leon at Searles Stadium on Thursday night, Sept. 5. Both are set for 7 p.m. kickoffs. On Friday night, Sept. 6, Killeen and Ellison clash in the crosstown showdown, and Chaparral hosts Manor New Tech.
Visit www.killeenisd.org/photos for more pictures from home games on opening night.
