Aledo quarterback Matthew Bishop stood on the sideline, his throwing arm in a sling, watching and wishing he could be a part of the Bearcats' state championship.

Bishop, who had injured his shoulder in the closing minutes of the semifinal round, looked on as the team he led for most of the season finished without him.

"It was really disappointing not playing in that game, the game I wanted to play in the most," Bishop said.

On Friday, Bishop will get his shot at leading Aledo in its biggest game this season when the Bearcats visit Austin Lake Travis, the three-time defending Class 4A Division I champs. With the state championship switching to Cowboys Stadium this year, Friday will be Aledo's only game in Austin, where the Bearcats beat Brenham for the 2009 4A Division II title.

"It's not the state championship game, but it is as close as we're going to get right now until the playoffs," Bishop said. "They are ranked No. 1 in 4A, but I think we have a good shot at beating them. It's going to be a good game."

Aledo again has the look of a contender. Bishop threw a touchdown pass and ran for two more scores in an opening 20-6 victory against Stephenville. Last week, running back Johnathan Gray carried the load, rushing for 214 yards and five touchdowns in a victory against Weatherford.

"I feel like teams are going to have to stop Johnathan and Matt or us make mistakes for us to lose," Aledo coach Tim Buchanan said. "Both of those kids are making great decisions, so I don't see that as a problem. This year, [Bishop] has been really accurate. He has great vision, and he has done a good job of scrambling when the pocket breaks down."

Lake Travis should be the Bearcats' greatest test in the regular season. The Cavaliers beat Austin Westlake 32-21 in their season opener. Last year, Westlake lost to Euless Trinity in the 5A Division I state title game.

"They are really good," Buchanan said. "They are extremely balanced, running and throwing the football. They are great at reading the defense and calling plays to make you pay for whatever you are trying to do."

In their second game, Lake Travis knocked off Hendrickson 34-24 to increase its winning streak to 48 games.

"We have had our best week of practice this year getting ready for Friday," Lake Travis coach Hank Carter said. "I felt like Hendrickson was a trap game, but we were able to get the win."

The Cavaliers will try to stop an Aledo attack that has scored 68 points in two games.

"We're looking forward to this game a lot," Bishop said. "Johnathan [Gray] is an animal, and our receivers are catching the ball well and running after. Our O-line is pass-blocking well. I think I've only been sacked one time this year."

Hendrickson running back Kenny Williams ran for 259 yards on 22 carries last week against the Cavaliers. Lake Travis will get tested again with Gray and Bishop leading Aledo.

"We are going to have to swarm to the football and tackle well. [Williams] broke a lot of tackles last week," Carter said. "The difference is Aledo does a great job blocking up front. We will have to get off blocks, then worry about Gray. It will be a tall order for us."

Carter said Lake Travis is expecting a large attendance at Friday's game.

"Typically our seating capacity is about 6,000," Carter said. "We've brought in extra bleachers for about 1,200 extra seats, and we will have standing room as well. I expect it to be a full house. It's going to be a great game and a great crowd. I know Aledo travels really well."