The seventh-ranked Vian Wolverines squeezed out a victory Friday night against Keys, despite being held to their lowest point total of the season. The 14-7 loss for the Cougars means falling to 4-4 on the season, with only one game remaining.

After quarterback Lane Trammel fumbled on the opening drive, the Wolverines wasted no time capitalizing. Dylan Taylor quickly showed why he is one of the top backs in the state. Taylor broke through the line and out raced all Cougar would be tacklers for 56-yards and six points. An added extra point and Vian led 7-0 early in the first quarter.

The Cougars again found success against the Wolverines defense, but again were denied points after turning the ball over on downs at the Vian 22-yard line.

The Keys defense held strong against the Vian running attack and knocked Taylor from the game on the fifth play of the drive. The hit sidelined Taylor for the remainder of the game.

After taking over at their 14-yard line, the Cougars embraced the opportunity. After runs by Kylar Welch and Trammel that resulted in a first down, Cody Cole broke a 21-yard run. Despite the sloppy field conditions, Cole evaded tacklers left and right. On 1st-and-20 after a holding call, Trammel hit Jackie Walker on a short out route and Walker broke the short toss for 42 yards. Another crucial catch by Walker on fourth and five set up Keys with first and goal from the Vian 2-yard line. Welch ran off the right guard and buried himself into the end zone to tie the game for the Cougars after the made point after.

Three drives later, the Wolverines began at their 32-yard line when quarterback Landon Decker played like anything but a freshman. On the second play of the drive, Decker hit Colby Ross for 13 yards.

On third and seven, Decker passed to Tevin Knight on a short hitch, which Knight turned into a 46-yard gain all the way to the Cougars 6-yard line. Three plays later, Decker found pay dirt from a yard out to give the Wolverines a 14-7 lead at the half.

On the second play of the second half, Welch intercepted a Decker pass, darting under the intended receiver to give Keys the ball at the Vian 45-yard line. Cody Cole broke a 25-yard run off the left side to give Keys first and ten at the Wolverines 18-yard line. The drive stalled and on fourth and eight, Trammel was sacked by Rob Boyd to turn the ball over on downs.

The Keys defense forced two more turnovers in the half, but the offense struggled to gain any momentum against the stiff Wolverines defense.

With only 2:30 remaining in the game, Trammel took a deep shot but was intercepted by Knight at the Vian 27-yard line.

After stopping three run plays, the Cougars retained possession with only 1:30 left in the game. A quick pass to Walker, then Swanson found the Cougars in Vian territory. Trammel then hit Bo Adams deep down the right side for 37 yards to the Wolverines 7-yard line.

With no timeouts, the Cougars offense hustled to the line. Trammel went towards Adams again in the slot but just overthrew the pass. Trammel dropped back to pass, but seeing no open receivers he scrambled up the middle but was stopped at the Vian 4-yard line. The next pass went incomplete as Trammel was forced to throw low with the hovering defense of the Wolverines secondary.

On fourth down, Trammel sat up in the shotgun formation. A low snap forced Trammel to bend down for the ball and the referee called Trammels knee down at the 10-yard line to give the ball back to Vian on the turnover on downs.

In the end, Trammel went 13-22 for 144 yards with 47 more on the ground. Cole led all Keys rushers with 64 yards followed by Welch’s 32. Walker caught four passes for 57 yards and Adams had 49 on three catches. Cody Ryals had two fumble recoveries and Swanson had one.

With the win, Vian moves to 8-1 with only Chouteau remaining on their schedule. Keys will take on the 2-7 Westville Yellowjackets next week at home.