Posted: Mon, 18 Jan 2010 09:43 PM - 8,581 Readers

By: Patrick George

Waving to hundreds of cheering fans while riding in convertibles is nothing new to the Lake Travis High School football team and neither is winning state championships.

Decked out in black and red, parents, students, teachers and other members of the Lake Travis community gathered Sunday for a parade honoring the Cavaliers' third straight state championship win.

Outside Bee Cave City Hall, nestled inside the Hill Country Galleria mall, team members rode past an ecstatic crowd amid fanfare from the school's band and its cheer and drill teams. They displayed the trophy they earned Dec. 19 after beating Longview 24-17 in the Class 4A, Division I title game.

And the weather made it a perfect day to ride in the back of a classic Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda or a Ferrari F360.

The skies were sunny, and the temperature was in the upper 60s.

"It's awesome," said senior wide receiver Andy Erickson , who is signed to play with Rice University after graduation.

"It's our third year in a row, and it's always awesome to see the community come out and support us," he said.

Erickson said the Longview game was the toughest state championship game he had played in.

The football program — now celebrating 46 straight wins — also counts University of Texas backup quarterback Garrett Gilbert among its alumni.

Coach Chad Morris praised the efforts of fans who came out to support their kids and neighbors. In two seasons at Lake Travis, Morris has led the Cavaliers to two state championships and a 32-0 record.

"Our community has been so supportive of what's been done," Morris said. "This program is definitely on the rise. That's what we want to endorse in our community."

Morris declined to comment on reports that he was taking a job as offensive coordinator at the University of Tulsa. However, after the parade, Lake Travis released a statement confirming that Morris is resigning for that job.

After the parade, fans gathered outside City Hall and watched a trophy presentation program.

Among the special guests were Austin's U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, state Rep. Valinda Bolton and state Sen. Kirk Watson.

Watson, riding in the parade in a blue Porsche convertible, said it was "so wonderful" to be celebrating yet another state championship.

"Twenty or 30 years from now, this will be remembered fondly," he said. "I'm proud that this community creates these kinds of memories."

*  Story Contributed by: Patrick George