SOUTHLAKE, Texas -- With just a win separating Keller Central from the playoffs, head coach Bart Helsley told his team to enjoy every moment of its regular-season finale Friday.
After the victory, the Chargers had a historic moment to enjoy.
Helsley didn't try to round up his ecstatic players for the traditional postgame speech.
"We got plenty of time to talk later," he said.
Well after the lights went off at Dragon Stadium, the Chargers were still on the field celebrating the 28-7 victory over Coppell that vaulted them into the playoffs for the first time in school history.
Central (8-2, 5-2 in 7-5A) will play top-ranked Allen (10-0, 7-0 in 8-5A) at 8 p.m. next Saturday at Cowboys Stadium in the first round of the Division I playoffs.
"Seeing the kids excited about the way we played in the second half, it's really gratifying to see that," said Helsley, who's coached Central for all eight of its varsity seasons. "Looking at all the kids and all these fans on the field and the happiness and joy on the field ... you want to see those kids be successful."
A huge second-half performance by running back Martin Alvarez sealed the win for Central. Alvarez ran for 117 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries -- all in the second half -- breaking what had been a 7-7 tie at halftime.
"Alvarez is a great football player," said Central running back Jammari Morris, who rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown. "I don't even know how to explain how good he is at football."
Meanwhile, Coppell (6-4, 3-4) couldn't get out of its own way. Still reeling from the loss of quarterback Jake Larson, the Cowboys mustered just 250 yards and left points on the field throughout the game.
In the second quarter, Coppell missed a field goal after a bad snap. At the end of the half, the Cowboys couldn't get their field-goal unit on the field in time to attempt a buzzer-beating three-pointer. And on its opening drive of the second half, Coppell kicker Nick Jordan pushed a 44-yard attempt just wide.
From there it was all Central, led by Alvarez. The Chargers needed just five plays to score after the missed field goal and they followed consecutive Coppell three-and-outs with touchdowns by Alvarez.
"Our defense has been good all year," Helsley said. "Several games we've shut people out for a half. Our defensive front was a little undersized to go up against their offensive line, but just like all year, they fought hard and were able to make plays when we needed to."
Neither team got much going in the first half. Coppell opened the scoring with a 1-yard run by quarterback Connor Wilson, who set up the touchdown with an amazing 28-yard pass to Emmanuel Mulumba that occurred after the snap went over Wilson's head.
Central wasn't able to answer until late in the second quarter. Quarterback Tanner Tausch connected with receiver Khari Burns for a 35-yard gain to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Morris.
In the locker room at halftime, Central didn't have much momentum, but Helsley had a message for his team.
"We just weren't in sync," Helsley said of his team's first-half play. "I made it a point [at halftime] to let them know that we'd come way too far to let this thing slip away."
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