|
|
|||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
||
|
|
 WACO - While Garrett Gilbert's teammates proclaimed him the best quarterback in the state, the Lake Travis senior insisted his team was the best in Texas. Both points are valid. Gilbert broke the Texas high school career passing record, and the Cavaliers earned their second straight Class 4A football championship on a breezy afternoon at Floyd Casey Stadium. As players, coaches and revved up students stormed the field after the last second ticked off the clock, the scoreboard behind the south end zone told the story: Lake Travis 48, Longview 23. This was a perfect finish for Lake Travis, which began the year ranked No. 1 in Class 4A in the Associated Press preseason poll. Not only did the Cavs finish 16-0, they extended their winning streak to a state-best 30 games in the 4A, Division I title game. "This has got to go down as one of the best 4A football teams in Texas history," said first-year Lake Travis coach Chad Morris. The Cavaliers followed their leader, Gilbert, who finished with 355 yards passing. That gave him a career total of 12,534 yards - two more than Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell managed when he played for Ennis. Gilbert broke Harrell's career record with a 7-yard screen pass to running back Chris Adam, who was tackled a yard short of the goal line late in the fourth quarter. Gilbert ended the drive with a 1-yard toss to Conner Floyd, a play that resulted in a big celebration on the Lake Travis sideline. Gilbert was mobbed by his coaches and teammates. Lake Travis supporters stood and cheered when the announcer relayed news of the record. "It's not about me," said Gilbert, who has committed to play for the University of Texas next season, while posing for pictures with fans. "This was a great team and our defense was outstanding." Lake Travis broke a 7-7 deadlock with 21 straight points in the second quarter. With a 28-7 halftime lead, the Cavaliers were never threatened in the second half. Senior receiver Austin Pollard, coming off a 10-catch, 146-yard performance in last week's state semifinal triumph over Friendswood, was Gilbert's chief target against Longview, too. He finished with eight catches for 145 yards. Senior receiver Cade McCrary had four catches for 118 yards. That included a 26-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and a spectacular 56-yard scoring grab in the third quarter. Longview (13-3) suffered when its best offensive player, running back Tyler McCray (1,674 yards, 26 touchdowns entering the game), sprained his left ankle in the first quarter and didn't return. Longview self-destructed with a pair of game-changing plays in the second quarter. A punt fake on a fourth-and-7 was thwarted by the Cavaliers' defense, and Longview's punted had a 1-yard kick on his team's next offensive possession. Lake Travis took advantage eon both miscues by scoring touchdowns - one on an 11-yard run by Andy Erickson and the second on a 2-yard sneak by Gilbert, who rushed for 62 yards. While Lake Travis has built its reputation with its offense, the Cavaliers were sensational on defense, harassing Lobos quarterback Aaron Johnson throughout the afternoon. Quinton Crow and Ryan Erxleben were among the Cavs who recorded sacks, and defensive backs Ian Lazarus and Jack Hourin delivered vicious hits against Longview receivers. "Our defense didn't get all the respect it deserved (during the season), but you got to give (defensive coordinator) Henry Carter a lot of credit for getting our team in the right positions," Morris said. Many of the cavaliers planned to celebrate the victory by going to Pollard's home Saturday night for cookies and milk shakes, a tradition they started last season. Leigh Ann Pollard has been known to bake as many as 500 cookies - chocolate chip is McCray's favorite - the night before a game. Winning state is becoming a Cavalier tradition, too. Note: After Lake Travis' victory, Morris took a call from former quarterback, Jevan Snead, a former Longhorn before ehe transferred to Ole Miss. Morris and him speak weekly. Snead was one of Morris' top players when he coached at Stephenville. On Friday, Snead gave advice to Morris about a pass play that he thought might work against Longview. The Cavaliers used the play three times Saturday, all three resulting in big plays. The name of the play: Zip Fly Special. |