The result was a thrilling 35-28 victory over previously unbeaten Keys that saw the Wolverines cap their first undefeated regular season since 1995 and their second consecutive District A-7 championship.
Unlike their first nine wins, the Wolverines were pushed until the final seconds of the game on Friday night. Vian rallied from a seven-point deficit in the closing moments and couldn't breathe easy until Roger Lane picked off a Keys pass at the Wolverine four-yard line to put the Cougars away for good.
Keys led 28-21 with 1:15 left in the contest, but Vian rallied as Seth Sloan fired a 42-yard touchdown pass to Timmy Hart. Vfastv Locust ran for the two-point conversion and the Wolverines went up 29-28.
Moments later, Vian linebacker Justin Schaub intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards to extend the Wolverine lead to 35-28 with a minute left.
Keys had time for one last drive, but Lane's interception stopped the Cougars just shy of the goal-line.
"It was a game of big plays for both teams-an outstanding ball game," said Vian head coach Brandon Tyler. "We showed a lot of character. We could have tucked our tail between our legs, but we stepped up and made the plays. Justin's interception was huge and Roger's interception really sealed the win."
Locust led Vian with a game-high 207 yards rushing on 17 carries, but Keys kept pace thanks to a strong effort from quarterback Zack Harbuck. The Cougar senior ran for 125 yards and completed 16-of-21 passes for 253 yards and two TDs.
Harbuck's first touchdown pass was a 45-yarder to Keith Sumpter and gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
Locust replied for Vian with a 25-yard TD run and Manny Sallee kicked the extra point to make it 7-7 with 6:49 to go in the first period.
The two rivals traded touchdowns in the second stanza, as Nick Albertson's two-yard run for Vian offset an 18-yard pass from Jayson Steeley to Shelby Berry.
The game was tied 14-14 at halftime and it took most of the third quarter before the next touchdown. Keys got it on Harbuck's six-yard run with :20 left, but Vian struck back on the final play of the period as Locust raced 42 yards to the end zone. Sallee's extra-point kick handed the Wolverines a 21-20 lead entering the fourth.
Harbuck put the home team back in front with an eight-yard touchdown pass to Berry with 8:34 left. He added a two-point conversion pass to Sumpter, making it 28-21 and setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
Tyler said Vian may have been a bit drained from an emotional win over Lincoln Christian the week before, but also credited Keys for playing a great game.
"Keys played their best game of the year and really got after us. You have to give them credit," said Tyler. "We were kind of flat after the Lincoln Christian game, but that's no excuse. You have to get up for a district championship game. I'm just glad to get out of there with a win."
Vian gained 383 yards on the ground with Sloan running eight times for 54 yards and Garrett Ford chipping in 18 yards on five attempts. Through the air, Sloan was 5-of-10 for 107 yards. Hart caught three of those passes for 93 yards with Tyren Samuels and Londell Taylor catching the other passes.
Sumpter was Key's top receiver, catching four passes for 122 yards.
The Vian defense was led by middle linebacker Albertson, who made 15 tackles with one sack. Strong safety Taylor was in on 10 tackles, while Schaub, Ford and Sloan had eight tackles apiece. Manuel Terrill had seven tackles and Jarrett Tyler six.
The win capped a perfect 8-0 run through District A-7 by the Wolverines, who moved to 10-0 overall. Keys dropped to 9-1 overall and 7-1 in the league, taking second place.
