Dawson not intimidated by two-time defending state champs

Lake Travis has won state titles the past two seasons and is on a 44-game winning streak. The Cavaliers are without a doubt the premier Class 4A team in the state.

But there's a second-year program out of Pearland that sees it another way.

The Dawson Eagles, who will face Lake Travis (14-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station in the Class 4A Division I state semifinals, believe they have something to prove.


Battle tested in 23-4A

“They have won a lot of games and beat a lot of good teams,” Dawson quarterback Darian Lazard said. “But they haven't played Dawson yet. So why should we be intimidated? We are going to be ready to play anyone.”

The Eagles (12-2) have proved in the playoffs that they can play with anyone.

At practice this week, it was clear Dawson is sitting comfortably as the underdog. The more naysayers out there, the better.

“The kids have the media and the Internet to see everything they need to see about Lake Travis,” coach Eric Wells said. “But when we get to practice or to the game, they are ready to get out there and show people who Dawson is. There is a lot of pride in this team.”

The Eagles have turned heads with a talented crop of players and a nice run in what many consider the best 4A district in the state — 23-4A. Dawson lost to Angleton and Friendswood in the regular season, but the Eagles beat Friendswood 28-11 on Saturday in the regional final.

“I think playing in a district like ours was definitely a benefit,” Wells said. “You see good teams every week, and it helps you improve. We told the kids that district play was the playoffs. You can't wait until Week 10 to be motivated to play your opponents.”

The Eagles have performed at a level that few second-year teams can.

“Our school is new, but we aren't new to playing football,” Dawson safety Jordan Rose said. “We practice as hard as anyone, and we will try to outwork all of our opponents. The fact that we are a new school doesn't make any difference to any of us on the field.”


Old vs. new

So when the old meets the new Saturday afternoon, the new won't be affected by Lake Travis' tradition.

“We've played good teams, and we've won big games,” Lazard said. “We have everything we need to keep playing.”

For Lazard and his teammates, getting to this point in the season isn't enough.

“We aren't looking at this like, ‘Oh, we are just happy to be in the state semifinals,' ” he said. “We want to win state and then we can be happy.”

photography by Bob Levey For The Chronicle