How bout them Cowboys?

Another thrilling finish moves team to 3-0

Olivia Short

Coppell senior defensive end Ike Odimegwu celebrates a fumble recovery as the game ends at Keller ISD Athletic Complex on Friday. Coppell defeated Keller Timber Creek, 44-38. Photo by Nashad Mohamed. (Nashad Mohamed)
KELLER – Whistles blow, and cowbells ring as the Coppell football team returned to the field as the clock marks the start of the fourth quarter.

To uphold their winning streak, the Cowboys used every last second to keep momentum in a back-and-forth game where almost every quarter ended with the score in a tie.

To bring home the win in the final 14 seconds of the game, senior quarterback Jack Fishpaw completed a pass to junior wide receiver Baron Tipton to break the tied score, 38-38.

Coppell remains undefeated after an entertaining 44-38 victory over Keller Timber Creek on Friday at Keller ISD Athletics Complex.

The energy was high on the field as the Cowboys (3-0) pushed to pull ahead to secure victory. Spirit on the sidelines was maintained to keep morale high through senior defensive end Ike Odimegwu and senior offensive lineman Chimdia Nwaiwu.

“I’m not going to lie, my head went low. [Nwaiwu] still held me accountable every single time” Odimegwu said, “He’s really the only reason why I tried to keep my head up in this game”.

As team captains, Nwaiwu and Odimegwu felt it was their responsibility to keep the team alive whether they were winning or losing.

“We’re looking to bring one back home for our people,” Nwaiwu said.

The Coppell defense held back Keller Timber Creek when the game got to its pivotal moments in the final minutes of the game.

“We came back the next drive, got the interception,” senior linebacker Gabe Warren said. “I think it really boosted our mentality.”

Coppell coach Antonio Wiley’s new mindset of “deep water” seems to push the team to victory.

“We train to be in uncomfortable positions, we’re used to being that so we drag out opponents out there,” Wiley said.

This mentality guided the team through the fourth quarter as the Cowboy spirit never died.

“If they can’t handle this deep water with us, then they’ll drown,” Wiley said.

Coppell senior running back Malkam Wallace rushes against Timber Creek at Keller ISD Athletic Complex on Friday. Coppell defeated Keller Timber Creek, 44-38. Photo by Olivia Short. (Olivia Short)

With success from the defense, junior wide receiver Luca Grosoli found openings in the Falcon’s defense to keep Coppell afloat.

“They fed me the ball and I got in my groove” Grosoli said, “Once we’re in that, it’s a flow state, everything comes easy”.

What really lifted the Cowboys was the special teams. They left little opportunity for Timber Creek with a crucial fake field goal for a touchdown, a punt that left the Falcon’s on the one-yard line with two minutes left in the game, and an onside kick recovered by senior wide receiver Owen Albright to set Coppell up for another touchdown.

“The onside kick, the fake field goal, and the punt return, you name it,” Wiley said. “Our special teams took advantage of every opportunity they had to be special.”

To secure the victory, Odimegwu recovered a fumble with only a few seconds remaining on the clock.

As Coppell players and coaches crossed the field the only thing that could be heard was the chant of “How bout them Cowboys?”

After a bye week, Coppell faces Plano West in its homecoming game on Sep. 23.

The Cowboys celebrate its win against Timber Creek at Keller ISD Athletic Complex on Friday. Coppell defeated Keller Timber Creek, 44-38. Photo by Olivia Short. (Olivia Short)