Week 0: Westwood

Warriors in 2008: 4-6, 2-5
Last year’s game: Lake Travis 27, Westwood 20
Warrior running back Princeton Collins had over 200 yards of total offense, but the Cavaliers held off Westwood in what would be the tightest game of the season for Lake Travis. Quarterback Garrett Gilbert steered the Cavs with 339 passing yards and three touchdowns.

It’s been 250 days since the Cavaliers won their second state title, and those days have blown by for Lake Travis head coach Chad Morris.

“It came quick,” he laughed and shook his head. “But we’re excited.”

Waiting for him and the Cavaliers is the peskiest team they faced all last season – the Westwood Warriors.

Led again by Utah-commit Princeton Collins (225 -1,514, 13 TDs), the Warriors are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 4-6 season in 2008.

“They’re going to be a great opponent,” Morris said. “They want all of the Lake Travis they can get. It’s a big motivation for us and our kids know and understand that.”

No one wants Lake Travis more than Collins, who has had big games against the Cavaliers the last two years, but come up short. He even lost a foot race with Cavalier tailback Andy Erickson during a 7on7 tournament this summer. The kid can’t buy a break. Still, he’s one of the best in Central Texas.

“He’s elusive. His speed is very deceiving,” Morris said. “He runs with great body lean and he’s just got a knack for finding open area, and he follows his blockers. He had a great night against us a year ago to say the least, so we understand that he’s going to be their money man, their go-to guy, and we just need to make plays and close space.”

Athletic and deceptive in his own right, sophomore quarterback Ben Johnson steps in as the Warriors’ new signal-caller. Morris thinks the Westwood staff will do its best to ease the transition for Johnson.

“We feel like they’re going to run the football, saddle up Princeton and take pressure off the quarterback,” Morris said. “It’s the same thing anyone would do in a situation like that. Get the running back in the groove and make it easier for the quarterback.”

Who to watch this week

Lake Travis: Michael Brewer, QB
The junior quarterback is making his varsity starting debut at the position for the Cavaliers. The first touchdown he throws for Lake Travis will be the first of his career.
Westwood: Princeton Collins, RB
Collins enters his senior season as an annual loser to Lake Travis, having never topped the Cavs as a starter. The Utah commit is one of the best backs in the state, and the Warriors’ biggest weapon.

Inside the numbers

Date Opponent Time/Score
Aug. 30 at Westwood 7:30
Sept. 4 Westlake 7:30
Sept. 12 at Cedar Park 7:30
Sept. 19 at Boerne 7:30
Sept. 26 at Killeen* 7:30
Oct. 3 Hutto* 7:30
Oct. 10 at Lampasas* 7:30
Oct. 17 Hendrickson* 7:30
Oct. 31 at Dripping Springs* 7:30
Nov. 7 Marble Falls* 7:30
* – District 25-4A Game

District 25-4A Standings

Team District Overall
Lake Travis 0-0 0-0
Hutto 0-0 0-0
Dripping Springs 0-0 0-0
Killeen 0-0 0-0
Hendrickson 0-0 0-0
Marble Falls 0-0 0-0
Lampasas 0-0 0-0

This week’s Games
Killeen vs. Killeen Ellison
Hendrickson at New Braunfels Canyon
Dripping Springs vs. Gonzales
Hutto vs. LBJ
Lampasas vs. Manor
Marble Falls vs. Fredericksburg

LTHS Returning Statistical Leaders

Rushing No YDS TD AVG
Andy Erickson 69 549 6 7.96

Passing C A I YDS TD
Michael Brewer 11 25 2 143 0

Receiving No. YDS TD AVG
Conner Floyd 40 735 8 18.37
Andy Erickson 34 439 3 12.91

Tackles No. TFL SCK HURR
Quinton Crow 194 19 4.5 3
Ian Lazarus 98 10 2.5 6