It took Garrett Gilbert and company a while to warm up Friday night in the Alamodome, but when the Cavaliers did, they threw their way past Westwood for a 27-20 win to open the 2008 season.

Gilbert, Lake Travis’ all-state quarterback, connected with Cade McCrary for three touchdowns, and Austin Pollard scored on a 29-yard reverse. Gilbert started slowly, connecting on just three of his first eight passes for only 13 yards in the first quarter. But he was nearly perfect from there, connecting on 14 of his last 15 passes for 302 yards and the three scores, leading the Cavs to the win.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Cavaliers scored 20 points in the second quarter to take control of the game. McCrary got behind the Westwood defense and hauled in a 50-yard strike for a score. On Lake Travis’ next possession, Pollard scored on a 29-yard reverse for a 13-3 Lake Travis lead.

Westwood’s Princeton Collins scored on fourth and 1 from the 1 with 2:00 left in the half, cutting the Lake Travis lead to 13-10, but the Cavaliers responded quickly. Andy Erickson returned the kickoff to the 35. On the next play, Gilbert threw a rainbow to McCrary, who had gotten behind the defense again, for a 65-yard touchdown. The pair connected again in the third quarter for a 27-13 lead.

Westwood scored late to cut the lead to 27-20, but Jack Hourin recovered the ensuing onside kick, and the Cavaliers were able to run out the clock, thanks in large part to a personal foul on the Warriors after they had stopped the Cavaliers on third down.

Notes:

For McCrary, it was his second straight season opener with three touchdown receptions. He caught three touchdown passes in last year’s opener against Texas City.

The game was part of the Texas Football Classic, and it was Lake Travis’ second appearance in the classic. Lake Travis played two years ago and beat Texas City in Gilbert’s first varsity game.