If you’ve been yearning for some football action, the two time defending state champions have got quite a deal for you.

The Cavaliers suit up for the annual Spring Jamboree and Pigskin Drop Saturday afternoon, and it’s sure to come with all the bells and whistles of events from years’ past, with a few new twists.

But the main event hasn’t changed. The varsity Cavs take the field at 7:30 p.m.

Lake Travis’ best on each side of the ball will suit up in a full scrimmage as a preview to the 2009 season.

With the way practice is going, according to Lake Travis head coach Chad Morris, it should be a pretty good show.

“We’re definitely seeing improvement each day in practice,” he said. “Even in the last few weeks. Last week was the most important week because you have to battle through and make a push. I’m pleased with the way it’s gone, and we’ve just got to finish out this week and make it carry over to summer. Saturday should be a lot of fun.”

It’s been a tough month for the coaches and players, but with steady improvement, Morris feels like the team has made the strides he hoped it would. There’s always the question of when the team will start clicking, and he feels like that question has been answered.

“It happens right now, and you can tell right about now whether it’s going to click or not,” he said. “I was expecting today to be a little sluggish after the long weekend, but today was a great day.”

And the praise for the players that have showed up each day is never ending, even if it’s difficult to name every player that’s made leaps and bounds.

“So many players have stepped up, it’s really hard to mention them all,” Morris said, before trying to do just that. “Jack Patton has done a great job, Austin Williams on the defensive side of the ball. Omar Duke-Tinson and Taylor Wrinkle. And we had guys we expected to be doing well, and they are. Conner Floyd, Michael Brewer and the offensive line. Ian Lazarus just keeps getting better, and Andy Erickson is typical Andy. Quinton Crow’s been great. There are just so many kids that are doing everything we’ve asked them to do.”

The positive strides include a state qualification in 7-on-7 just one tournament into the summer season, as the Cavalier squad went 5-0 last weekend.

As for the game, don’t expect to see too many tricks from the 2009 playbook. Just like last year, the staff is going to play things close to the vest.

“We know there’s going to be scouts there, so we probably won’t show a whole lot. There’s some things we’ve been working on this spring that we’re just going to keep to ourselves for now,” he said. “But that’s OK, our deal is to come out and start at 4 p.m., and get the young kids going in the punt, pass and kick competition. Then we’ll go freshman at 5 p.m., junior varsity right after that, and then at 7 p.m. we’re going to have the Cavalettes perform along with the punt, pass and kick finals. Then it’s the main event.”

Admission to the Jamboree is $5, but organizers feel like there will be plenty of bang for the buck. Once inside, fans will be greeted with a Taste of Lakeway – samples from a number of local restaurants, an autograph party with the players at 6 p.m., endless games and activities and much more.

“It’s going to be a great environment for the young kids in Lake Travis to come out,” Morris said. “This community has been so great to us since day one, and this is one of those chances for us to give back and get involved with the community. It’ll be business at hand for us, one more chance to get a good practice in before we break for summer.”

The Pigskin Drop will be right after the varsity scrimmage, and just to mix things up, there’s one more prize that’s been added to this year’s bounty.

“We’re going to have a raffle for a chance to coach the first three plays of the varsity game,” Morris laughed. “Of course, I know I’m going to ask them whether they want to pass or run, and they’re going to want to pass. Then I’ll ask them if they want to go short or long, and they’re of course going to want to go long. So we’ll probably end up with three long passes, but that’s what it’s about.”

Tickets for the Pigskin Drop can be purchased at American Bank, HEB or from a football parent for $10 a square for the chance to win a $1,000 prize or one of ten $100 prizes. If the football stops in the ticket owner’s square, it’s a winner.