Lake Travis wins rematch

Just one month ago The Cedar Park Timberwolves and Lake Travis Cavaliers played a district ending game that saw the T-Wolves go into Caviler field and put away the Cavs 35- 21 to take the District 25-4A regular season title.

Part II was to play out ever bigger, as this was for the Class 4A State quarterfinals, and a trip to the Simi's next weekend. This time around was more like a heavy weight title bout, and in the end, Lake Travis held on in a nail biter 21-20.

It was the Cavaliers defense that sealed the deal, when senior defensive end Dylan Bittles blitzed in and stopped QB Alex Curl on a 4th and 8 last ditch effort attempt, with just 52 seconds left on the clock.

"It was a now or never play for them, if you want it you got to go get it type deal" said Bittles. "We had a little stunt on with our front four, and our tackles did a little swap moving to the opposite gaps, and I just stepped back behind the other tackle, and it (the line) just parted like the red sea, and I was like alright, here it is and took a step forward, and was like, don't miss this, and was just in the right position to make the play".

The game started out with Cedar Park taking the opening kickoff and marching down the field with running back Ethan Fry capping off a 7 plus minute drive with a TD run to take an early 7-0 lead.

Cedar Parks defense, led by University of Texas commit LB Chet Moss, helped hold the Lake Travis offense in check on their next few series, as the Timberwolves were able to tack on 3 more points on a Field goal by Cedar Parks place kicker Granger McCollough for a 10-0 lead through 1 quarter of play.

The Second quarter saw Lake Travis rebound with touchdown from Cameron Wrinkle on a 42 yard punt return, and a 19 yard scamper from back Michael Pojman putting the Cavs back on top at the half 14-10.

As the second half began, Cedar Parks defense stood up the Cavs offense and forced a punt, giving the ball back to the Timberwolves.

Cedar Park marched down the field with its tough running game, and mammoth offensive line, cumulating in Ethan Fry taking it in from 11 yards out. The PAT was good, and Cedar Park had again taken the lead back 17-14 with 8:03 left in the third period.

Both teams traded interceptions later into the third, with Lake Travis taking advantage of their pick. Having good field position to work with, QB Michael Brewer guided the Cavs down inside the 5 of Cedar Park, where a few, plays later was able to sneak over from the 3 giving the Cavs back the lead.

"Coach called my number and the offense line did a great job of blocking down there, letting me follow them into the end zone"" said Brewer. The extra point was tacked on making the score 21-17 Lake Travis.

Cedar Park, with just under a minute and a half left in the third quarter, moved the ball down the field, but the drive stalled, and with .27 seconds left in the third period added on another field goal from 29 yard out by Granger McCollough, getting the Timberwolves with 1 at 21-20.

Both teams played battle tested defense in the last quarter, with neither offense able to really threaten for more points, other than Cedar Park attempting and missing on a 45 yard field goal try with 6:13 left to play.

Of the defensive struggle, winning Head Coach Hank Carter had this to say about the game and his team. "For this win, I will take it however we can get it, Obviously I am proud of the kids, we got that big stop there at the end of the game, we caused some turnovers, our offense make some plays this afternoon, special teams, it's a total team effort, and we knew it was going to be a war, and it was. There (Cedar Park) a great team, a great program, and we knew it was going to be tough."

Carter continued,"We were surely frustrated at times, because they were converting on us on first and third downs, and that just shows they are a really good team."

Lake Travis (12-2) will next play Friendswood (13-1) in the Class 4A Div. II Simi finals who took out Montgomery to advance. Cedar Park ends it very successful season at 13-1.