With a 30-game winning streak and two state championship banners on the wall, Lake Travis football players have a bull's-eye on their helmets.


photo by Ricardo B. Brazziell

Look closely at the "L" in the "LT" insignias on their black and red helmets and you'll spot a pair of white stars. They represent consecutive state titles for Lake Travis, which relied on a record-shattering offense to outclass nearly every opponent in the past two years.

Now that a certain University of Texas-bound quarterback — anyone remember his name? — is no longer throwing darts to wide-open receivers, the Cavaliers' defense must play a meatier role on Friday nights.

One leader on that unit will be senior middle linebacker Quinton Crow, whose 194 tackles in 2008 went largely unnoticed while Garrett Gilbert ran and passed for a total of 78 touchdowns — 55 through the air — and collected enough national awards to fill a museum.

"We know the defense has to pick up more of the slack," Crow said. "I'm not saying the defense didn't do that last year. There was just so much more focus on the offense because of Garrett. Now, it's the defense that has to step up."

To their credit, the Cavs were pretty salty on defense last season, allowing 17 points per game. But they had few opportunities to shine with the game on the line because most games were decided by halftime.

Now in his second season leading the Cavaliers, energetic coach Chad Morris will count on defensive players such as Crow, outside linebacker Ian Lazarus (98 tackles), cornerback Taylor Wrinkle, safety Hunter Akers and incoming tackles Jonathan Roberts and Drew Patterson to play more vital roles.

Crow, whose quickness and knack for making plays make up for his relatively small 215-pound frame, has a wrecking-ball mentality. He wants to make every tackle no matter how large opposing blockers and running backs might be.

Defensive assistant coach Randall Edwards said "tenacity and intelligence" are attributes that apply to Crow. "Our offense scores quickly; our defense always has to be ready to get back on the field at all times," Edwards said.

"The defense is small, but we can tear it up," senior linebacker Bret Plymire said.

Morris plans to toughen his team by playing a relentless nondistrict schedule. A Class 4A team, the Cavaliers open the season with three high-quality 5A schools — Westwood, Westlake and Cedar Park — and it would take an incredible effort to finish that stretch with their 30-game winning streak intact.

"We want to be ready for district play," Morris said, "and I feel this will make us ready."

Said Crow, "Some schools will start out slow and get into the big time later in the season. We start out against big teams and go from there."

During a fast-paced, two-hour practice this week, the Cavaliers appeared to be loaded on offense despite the loss of Gilbert, All-State tackle Paden Kelley and All-State receiver Cade McCrary. Michael Brewer has waited two years to become the starting quarterback, and most of his passes on one steamy morning were on target to receivers such as Connor Floyd, Andy Erickson, Alex Calloway, Tanner Gillette and Griffin Gilbert.

The Cavaliers' main goal is not to extend their winning streak with another unbeaten season, but to be in position to contend for a third straight 4A state championship come November.

What would it take to win state again?

"We have to be perfect," said Crow, who said he's already "shaking" with excitement while waiting for his senior season to kick off. "We've been perfect the last two years, and we have to keep going for it."