Coming into the season, Killeen was arguably the favorite to challenge Lake Travis for the 25-4A district title. That perception may have changed after a solid pre-district run by Hutto and Dripping Springs, but there’s no doubt that Killeen will provide one of the stiffest challenges.

It’s just one tough game after another right now for the Cavaliers.

“This is a talented football team, and because they’re so talented, they can cause you some problems,” Lake Travis head coach Chad Morris said of the ‘Roos. “I think it goes along with the teams we’ve been playing the last four weeks. It’s a good challenge for us right now.”

Coming off a win over a tough Evangel Christian team, one of the biggest challenges for Lake Travis is overcoming some tired legs early in the season.

“I think it’s hard to get up to that level every week in the NFL or any level,” Morris said. “Here, we’re dealing with teenagers having to get up game after game. That’s what has impressed me, when we had to make some plays, we’ve been able to put it away.”

Athletic playmakers on opposing offenses have run wild against the Cavaliers while the rest of their teammates have been held in check, keeping Lake Travis one step ahead, but it’s clear at this point in the season that a defensive priority has to be wrapping up those playmakers.

“I think we’ve got to tackle better,” Morris said. “That’s something we’re going to work on, and the only way you get better as a team on defense is tackling.”

The playmaker this week? Sophomore quarterback Michael Cummings, who is already the fifth-leading rusher in the district with 329 yards on 43 attempts for an average of just over seven yards a carry.

“Everybody goes out and he pulls the ball down and makes plays in space,” Morris said of Cummings. “He’s a good quarterback, and he’s got a good offensive line in front of him.”

Morris said there’s an added boost from the undefeated run against some brutally tough opponents to start the season, as well.

“You look at it two ways. Being 4-0 and playing subpar football teams, or playing the opponents we’ve played now,” he said. “I think we’ve been battle tested, and we’re still healthy going into district. Regardless of the record, we would be battle tested, and I’d feel good knowing the quality of opponents we’ve already played. That’s helped prepare us for the rest of the year.”

Cavalier Notes:

Senior QB Garrett Gilbert continues to make pass his way into the Texas single-season and career passing record books. Gilbert already owns the state records for completions, attempts and yards in a season. He’s now making is way up the rankings for career completions, attempts, yards, and touchdowns. Here’s a list of where Gilbert stands in each category:

Single Season Completions: 1st, 360 in 2007 (16 games)

Career Completions: 4th, 675 (Bridgeport H.S. Philip Daugherty ranks 3rd with 680 from 2000-02)

Single Season Attempts: 1st, 556 in 2007

Career Attempts: 4th, 1,066 (Kellen Haynes, who played at 3 different schools from 2000-03, ranks 3rd with 1,097)

Single Season Yards: 1st, 4,827 in 2007

Career Yards: approaching 7th with 8,994 (Tuscola Jim Ned’s Colt McCoy ranks 6th with 9,344 from 2002-04)

Single Season Touchdowns: T7 52, 2007 (tied with Rogers’ Patrick Hutka, 1997)

Career Touchdowns: 92, T8 with Southlake Carroll’s Chase Daniel, 2002-04 (Tenaha’s Chavis McCollister ranks 7th with 94 from 1996-98)