Lake Travis holds off Cibolo Steeles late scoring attempt to come away with 27-20 playoff win at the Alamodome
SAN ANTONIO — Coming off back-to-back state titles, Lake Travis was looking to keep their undefeated record at the Alamodome in tact. When it was all said and done, Lake Travis managed to do just that but it took a goal line stand with just seconds to go to come away with a 27-20 win over Cibolo Steele and advance on to the regional round of the Class 4A Division II Regional Playoffs.
"We knew it was going to be a great game. They have a great offense and a great defense", said Lake Travis junior quarterback Michael Brewer.
Trailing 27-20 with 6:16 left in the game, Cibolo Steele took possession of the ball at their own 7-yard line. They marched down to the Lake Travis 4-yard line and after two failed pass attempts they got one last shot at the end zone but came up short when they called a running play that was stuffed by the Lake Travis defense.
"We trust out defense and we think we have the best defense in the state", said Collin Lagasse.
Lake Travis got off to a shaky start giving up a safety on thier first series. Punter Jack Patton was not able to handle a high snap that went over his head and out of the end zone which gave Steele the early lead and helped them build momentum against the highly favored Cavaliers.
Steele continued with their early success as they added a first quarter field goal and then early in the second quarter they tacked on seven more points when Andre Jenkins picked off a Brewer pass and rumbled in for a touchdown that would put Lake Travis in a 12-0 hole.
Lake Travis found themselves back on their heals again later in the first half but was able to respond after Malcolm Brown busted through the Cavalier defense on a 73-yard run before Colin Lagasse caught him and forced a fumble that was recovered by Lake Travis.
"Malcolm Brown is a great running back and I am pretty sure I will be watching him on Sundays one day", said Andy Erickson.
The fumble recovery seemed to ignite Lake Travis as they responded with 13 unanswered points. Erickson got the Cavaliers on the board with a 21-yard touchdown run and Brewer added a 32 yard run allowing Lake Travis to take a 13-12 lead which they held going into halftime.
Lake Travis extended their lead in the third quarter when Brewer took it in from 2-yards out, and with Kramer Fyfe adding the extra point, the Cavaliers pushed their lead out to 20-12. Steele would pick up a touchdown and a two point conversion but Lake Travis would go out in front to stay after recovering a fumble. Just a few plays later Erickson hauled in a 28-yard touchdown pass with just under four minutes to go in the third quarter.
After Steele drove inside the five yard line, the Cavaliers held off three attempts by Steele to score and come away with the 27-20 win.
"We felt we had a very good game plan and our coaches prepared us well and it showed". said Erickson. As far as what they looked to do in the second half in order to come away with the win and advance in the playoffs Erickson added, "We just executed and took what the defense gave us".
Lake Travis advances to face Flour Bluff in the regional playoffs at the Alamodome Saturday at noon.
