RICK CANTU

At the beginning of the season, we listed Stony Point, Lake Travis and Copperas Cove as the top three football teams in Central Texas, and their combined 16-0 record proves we know plenty about front-runners.

But who could predict that Bastrop, Anderson, Lehman — former doormats now harboring real playoff aspirations — would be in the picture entering the second half of the high school season?

The team most likely to go all the way is Lake Travis, owner of a state-best 36-game winning streak and back-to-back state championships in Class 4A. Averaging 52 points a game, the Cavaliers continue to be ranked No. 1 in the state.

Some things don't change.

Player of the year?

No one had more preseason pressure than Lake Travis quarterback Michael Brewer, the heir apparent to local icon Garrett Gilbert. How do you replace the guy who was listed by some outlets as the nation's best player? Here's how: 19 touchdowns to one interception, 324 yards per passing game and a Colt McCoy-like 74.8 completion percentage through six games.

Don't forget about ...

Lake Travis running back Andy Erickson, who with 15 combined rushing, receiving and kick return touchdowns is Brewer's best option.

Hendrickson running back Kenny Williams, a junior who overpowers opponents the way Earl Campbell used to punish SMU safeties.

Best game so far

Pflugerville 19, Leander 17: These old rivals opened the season with a hard-hitting game that was not decided until a Leander field-goal attempt with 13 seconds to go sailed wide right. An 8-yard touchdown run by Pflugerville's Sammy Flowers in the fourth quarter provided the winning score.

Best matchup to come

Bastrop at Westlake, Friday: Led by dynamic quarterback Josiah Monroe, the Bears are unbeaten through five games after going 2-8 last season. A district title is possible if Bastrop can get by the Chaps, who have prospered under new coach Darren Allman, particularly on defense.

Two other good ones

Giddings at La Grange, Oct. 23: Both could still be unbeaten when they clash for the District 25-3A crown.

Killeen at Hendrickson, Nov. 6: Pairing two offensive-minded teams — they combined for 103 points last week — this matchup will likely be for second place in 25-4A behind Lake Travis.

Surprise teams

Anderson (4-1): Victory over Bowie last week might have been area's biggest upset this fall.

Bastrop (5-0): Uncovered many believers after surprisingly easy victory over Pflugerville.

Georgetown (0-5): A playoff team last year, Eagles have not adapted well to new coaching staff.

Who's hot?

• Cody Rademacher, Westlake kicker: Senior has seven field goals this season, including a career-best 49-yarder in last week's victory over Pflugerville.

• Adriane Rocha, Georgetown wide receiver: Caught 16 passes for 184 yards in loss to Vista Ridge last week.

• Kyson Woolverton, Caldwell running back: In his past two games, has rushed for 366 total yards and five touchdowns.

DANNY DAVIS

This fall, we've found out that football games are played on a field and not in the newspaper.

When our preseason picks came out in August, we had Pflugerville ranked fifth in our preseason power poll while Wimberley came in at No. 6 and Liberty Hill was 10th. As we reach the halfway point of the season, none of those teams has a winning record.

Meanwhile, teams that didn't sniff our preseason power poll — such as Bastrop and Belton — are among the area's eight remaining undefeated teams. Akins and Anderson are higher in the District 25-5A standings than Bowie, the two-time defending district champion.

This season has been, at times, unpredictable. The next three months should be fun.

Player of the year?

I'm giving the nod to Lake Travis senior Andy Erickson, and my reasoning goes beyond Erickson's Montana roots. With eight rushing touchdowns, six receiving touchdowns and a score on a 100-yard kickoff return, Erickson is the biggest weapon on a Lake Travis team well on its way to another state championship.

Don't forget about ...

Austin High sophomore Cayleb Jones, who has a shot at 100 catches.

Blanco running back Layton Dworaczyk, who has 17 rushing touchdowns this year and has returned three interceptions for points.

Best game so far

Del Valle 16, Hutto 10: The first three quarters were rather lackluster, but this game had an ending that folks in Del Valle will be talking about for years. After giving up an improbable drive to Hutto, which sent the game into overtime with a 42-yard field goal, the Cardinals stopped Hutto at the 1 on fourth down to secure their third win of the season.

Best matchup to come

Stony Point at Cedar Park, Oct. 23: Stony Point has won 13 straight games in district play since a 28-point loss to Cedar Park in 2007. Will Cedar Park, which now appears to have an offense to match its much-heralded defense, be able to derail the Tigers' road to a third straight district title?

Two other good ones

Bastrop at Westlake, Friday: Who would have thought that this might be the game that decides the District 25-5A championship?

Hays at Del Valle, Oct. 30: If Hays recovers from a rough start, its District 17-4A title defense might come down to this game.

Surprise teams

Bastrop (5-0): The Bears have five wins, two more than Bastrop had in the past two seasons combined.

Lehman (4-1): Their non-district schedule was weak, but the Lobos still deserve some applause.

Lake Travis (6-0): We figured the Cavs would be good, but this good? Wow.

Who's hot?

Zed Woerner, Marble Falls quarterback: Thor's little brother has led Marble Falls to a 4-1 start.

Kevin White, Stony Point cornerback: The TCU-bound White has been a big-time playmaker in the Tigers' secondary.

Michael Sorrels, McCallum running back: The all-district defensive end turned running back has become a great find for the Knights offense.