photo by Larry Kolvoord

Coach: Chad Morris (2nd year, 16-0)
2008: 16-0, Class 4A, Division I state champions
Hello: QB Michael Brewer, LB Quinton Crow
Goodbye: QB Garrett Gilbert (Texas), WR Cade McCrary (Texas)
Returning starters: 10 (6 offensive, 4 defensive)
2008 stats: The Cavaliers averaged 49.0 points per game and allowed 16.0.


QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How will Michael Brewer fare at quarterback after inheriting the position from Garrett Gilbert?

2. Are linebackers Quinton Crow and Ian Lazerus going to terrorize opposing defenses?

3. Will flex player Andy Erickson have more rushing yards or receiving yards?


GONE STREAKING

Lake Travis will enter the 2009 season with the longest active winning streak in the state, taking over that honor in December when Liberty Hill had its 38-game streak snapped in the state semifinals. The Cavaliers have won 30 straight. The next longest active streak in the state is Class 2A Muleshoe's run of 15.


ANOTHER HOLE TO FILL

The departure of Gilbert has left an obvious hole in Lake Travis' passing attack, but his rushing contributions will be missed, too. Gilbert, who threw for 55 touchdowns last year and holds four state passing records, finished second on the team in rushing last year and also ran for 23 touchdowns.


BAY CITY REUNION

Assistant coach Jess Loepp accepted a position at the University of Tulsa, and his spot will be taken by Ryan Luedecke, who played safety for Chad Morris at Bay City High in 2000. Luedecke, who went on to play at Texas State, spent the past two years coaching at Copperas Cove. He will coach the secondary at Lake Travis.


CAVALIERS' KEY GAME
WESTLAKE, Sept. 4

Not one team in District 25-4A came within 39 points of beating Lake Travis last year, so the Cavaliers' stiffest competition likely will be found among its nonleague opponents. Will the last team to beat Lake Travis (Westlake, a 28-21 victor on Sept. 7, 2007) be the team that snaps the Cavaliers' winning streak?


OUR TAKE

Which team has the best shot at ending Lake Travis' 30-game winning streak?

Rick Cantu: I'll go with defensive power Cedar Park, the most underrated team in the area.

Danny Davis: If Westwood can nearly beat a Lake Travis team with Garrett Gilbert, they can beat an adjusting Lake Travis team without Garrett Gilbert.


GO FIGURE

25Varsity pass attempts for new quarterback Michael Brewer

2Times that Lake Travis faced a second-half deficit last season

3All-Centex player of the year awards won in the past four years by a Lake Travis QB (Todd Reesing, 2006; Garrett Gilbert, 2007 and 2008)


CAVALIERS' 2009 SCHEDULE


A28 at Westwood (2008: W, 27-20)

S4 Westlake (W, 38-17)

S10 at Cedar Park (W, 35-21)

S18 at Boerne Cham. DNP

S25 at Killeen (W, 50-9)

O2 Hutto (W, 55-20)

O9 at Lampasas (W, 57-0)

O16 Hendrickson (W, 57-0)

O30 at Dripping Springs (W, 42-3)

N6 Marble Falls (W, 54-14)


TOP 10 RANKINGS IN REVIEW: 10. Liberty Hill; 9. Killeen; 8. Giddings; 7. Cedar Park; 6. Wimberley; 5. Pflugerville; 4. Westlake; 3. Copperas Cove; 2. Lake Travis; 1. Coming Saturday