(6) RIVERSIDE VS. (2) MAPLE HEIGHTS

Division II, Region 5

It’s basketball that kept Keller off the football field last season. As a junior, Keller decided to skip football season to concentrate on his hoops aspirations.

The decision ate him up inside, watching his teammates play last year without him.

So he made a return this year.

He didn’t know just how triumphant a return it would end up being.

“Being away really hurt,” he said. “Coming back was the best decision of my life, I’m not going to lie. There’s just nothing better than Friday nights under the lights.”

Some observers feel there is a fine line between confidence and cockiness. Keller knows exactly where that line is. He and his teammates have spent so much time together on the field, they know and trust each other.

They don’t talk a big game.

They just play a big game.

In the biggest moments, that trust shines through, like the game-winning drives against Chardon and Nordonia.

“It doesn’t matter if we’re trailing. We always believe we can win,” Keller said.

The game-winning play with longtime friend Wojkowski wasn’t the wonder many observers felt it was – at least not in Keller’s eyes. He expected it. Everyone on the field did.

It’s not arrogance. It’s confidence.

“There was a hole between the corner and the safety, and I knew if I put it there, he’d go up and get it,” Keller said. “I know he can get up. In basketball, we always have contests to see who can jump the highest. So I knew if I put it there, he’d get it.

“I’m sure people give me too much credit for that throw, for taking a shot, but give credit where it’s due. He made that catch.”

Even when the game was over and euphoria was about, Keller’s mind was on the task at hand.

Surrounded by a student section that wanted to party it up with the big win, Keller pointed out to all in earshot that the journey isn’t over.

“He said, ‘Hey, we’ve got Week 12 coming up. This is great, but there is more,’ “Bors recalled of Keller’s talk. “He said, ‘This isn’t mission accomplished. We want to go as far as we can. Let’s fight tooth and nail to do that.’ “That’s leadership. That’s part of the ‘It’ factor that Andrew Keller has.

Keller said he appreciates the community, the student section and all the fans for their support this season.

But as he said, the journey isn’t done. And even though they’ll — again — be underdogs against Maple Heights, Keller doesn’t care.

They’ve climbed mountains before.

“This season is like one big life lesson,” Keller said. “We’re not giving up on the field - ever - just like we’re never giving up in life. What we’re doing this season kind of defines us as people.”