Posted: Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:56 AM - 26,504 Readers

By: Rick Cantu

Colin Lagasse represents the grit and determination that has made Lake Travis a state football champion for an unprecedented fifth consecutive season.

Lagasse, whose shoulder injury in the season opener cost him his job as the starting quarterback, put his signature on the Class 4A, Division I state championship game. The all-purpose senior combined for 210 receiving and rushing yards Friday night, as the Cavaliers hung on for a 22-7 victory over Waco Midway before 32,314 fans at Cowboys Stadium.

With head coach Hank Carter holding the commemorative trophy over his head, Lake Travis (16-0) became the first team in Texas high school football history to win five straight state titles.

No one could be more satisfied than Lagasse, who missed four regular-season games with an injury to his left shoulder. On Friday, he hurt Midway as a receiver, running back and quarterback in the wildcat formation while earning selection as the game's offensive MVP.

Ironically, he scored the game's final touchdown — on a 1-yard plunge — while playing quarterback. He also took the final snap of the game at quarterback, with boisterous black-and-red-clad fans screaming as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

"This has been our goal," said Lagasse, a gold medal draped around his neck. "Knowing that all of our hard work paid off. I guess you can say this is history, and we're going to need all week to let it sink in."

Lake Travis kicker Kevin Marcotte helped out a sputtering Cavaliers offense, booting field goals of 26, 33 and 34 yards. Senior safety Jacob Standard was named the game's defensive MVP, an honor that could have gone to several Cavaliers.

While Lake Travis did just enough on offense to win, the real stars of the game lined up for a defense that kept Midway out of the end zone. Defensive end Tyler Paulsen (six tackles), Connor Shannon (seven stops) and linebacker Blake Burdette (six tackles) consistently harrassed Midway quarterback Kramer Robertson, who was sacked six times.

Defensive backs Brock Kenyon (six tackles), Zach Streuling (nine tackles) and Standard (three tackles, one interception) stifled Midway's offense, holding the Panthers to three first downs in the first half.

"The whole year, everyone had said how good our defense has been," tackle Jude Jeffress said. "We took that and let it all out."

Lake Travis led 10-0 at halftime . The Cavaliers owned a 284-76 edge in total yards, but all they had to show for it was a spectacular touchdown grab by Griffin Gilbert and a 26-yard field goal .

Gilbert's 17-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield was the first half's most eye-popping play. Mayfield eluded a strong rush, rolled right and lofted a throw to Gilbert, who leaped high above safety Orion Stewart for the catch, tapping the field with one foot before falling out of bounds.

Midway's only score came on a 90-yard kickoff return by Stewart to open the second half .

During their five-year title run, the Cavaliers have compiled a 77-3 record. They have won a state-record 30 consecutive playoff games.

*  Story Contributed by: Rick Cantu