Posted: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:22 AM - 11,393 Readers
By: Rick Cantu
One of the goals for Texas high school football teams is to remain in the state playoffs past Thanksgiving Day.
Well, gobble, gobble. Judging by games last week, four Central Texas squads have the talent to blow into December with legitimate chances to reach their respective state title games.
A crown just might fit Stony Point, Cedar Park, Lake Travis or Wimberley.
On Friday, no team in Texas raised more awareness about its postseason prospects than Stony Point, which traveled 180 miles north and blasted No. 7 DeSoto 46-29 in a Class 5A showdown. DeSoto, which beat Florida's defending Class 6A state champion the previous week, was no match for the Tigers — at least after halftime.
After spotting DeSoto three straight touchdowns in the first half, third-ranked Stony Point made some halftime adjustments that apparently worked. The Tigers, up 23-21, used consecutive interceptions in the third quarter to score touchdowns, and they capped their surge with a safety for a 39-21 lead.
Stony Point, seeking its first state championship, controlled the game by controlling the clock in the second half. Behind bruising running back Sam Kelley, who rushed for 186 yards on 23 carries, the Tigers kept DeSoto's offense off the field for most of the half.
Speaking of power football, Class 4A Cedar Park showed 5A opponent Austin High no mercy in a 56-0 romp Thursday night on the Maroons' home field.
The Timberwolves earned their first shutout of the season by pounding a team that entered the night averaging 43 points a game.
And while Cedar Park's defense limited Austin High to a season-low 199 total yards, the Wolves responded with 525. The whipping was so complete, Timberwolves coach Chris Ross emptied his bench for most of the fourth quarter, allowing everyone a chance to contribute.
Cedar Park may not have a strong challenge until it plays new district rival Lake Travis in the final game of the regular season on Nov. 5.
Lake Travis showed the heart of a three-time 4A champion on Friday by rallying past fifth-ranked Kerrville Tivy.
With Tivy up 19-0, the Cavaliers appeared vulnerable after their gut-wrenching loss to Aledo, an outcome that snapped a 48-game winning streak.
Lake Travis, playing its second straight game without all-state quarterback Michael Brewer, rallied with two touchdown passes in the second quarter.
The Cavaliers took the lead for good on Colin Lagasse's 19-yard scoring pass to Griffin Gilbert in the fourth quarter.
Lake Travis stepped up on defense, too, holding Tivy scoreless in the fourth quarter to prevail 37-33.
The Lake Travis-Cedar Park game in November might serve as a playoff appetizer. They would be placed in the Division I portion of the 4A postseason, meaning they could have a rematch in the regional playoffs.
Tucked away in the Hill Country, Wimberley has quietly built one of the best 3A teams in Texas. Ranked fourth in the latest Associated Press poll, the Texans won their fourth straight game in convincing fashion, downing La Vernia 35-21.
That set up the state's game of the week, as No. 3 Sealy travels to Wimberley for a nondistrict tilt Friday night. Both schools field Region IV teams that could face each other in the playoffs.
