Harry Hatch wasn’t the biggest linebacker to ever put on a Lake Travis uniform, but he had mighty big shoes, earning all-state honors during his senior season in 2008.

Enter Austin Williams, the linebacker given the honor, and in some ways the burden, of taking over for Hatch this season.

All Williams has done is rack up 82 tackles – second best on the team – and two tackles for losses. He’s just one of many players tabbed to step up for a group that was largely responsible for two straight state titles.

“I don’t ever like to pinpoint just one person that has stepped up and made a difference,” Lake Travis head coach Chad Morris said. “We’ve gotten to this point because so many players have gone above and beyond the expectations we had for them.”

There were probably more expectations saddled on quarterback Michael Brewer than anyone else on the team.

“You look at Michael and what he’s done, coming in for maybe the greatest quarterback in the history of Texas high school football in Garrett Gilbert,” Morris said. “I had a lot of confidence in Michael, but he’s really exceeded my expectations.”

In fact, through eight games, Brewer has 147 completions on 199 attempts for 2,640 yards, 24 touchdowns and one interception. Through eight games last season, Gilbert had 147 completions on 221 attempts for 2,463 yards, 30 touchdowns and one interception. The pressure that seemed inevitable at times has all but disappeared before the regular season has even ended.

But there are more players that have taken on larger roles. Trevor Gillette went from a backup linebacker last year, to one of the best defensive ends in Central Texas. Paired up with Shaquille Marable on the other end and Jonathan Roberts and Drew Patterson in the middle, they’ve answered any and all questions about inexperience on the defensive front.

It hardly ends there. Tanner Gillette and Griffin Gilbert have turned into big possession receivers. A year ago, Gillette saw some playing time, but nothing significant. Now he’s invaluable across the middle. A year ago, Gilbert was playing freshman football. Now, he can go up and over any defensive back in the state. Those are two specific weapons that add dimensions to an already multifaceted attack.

“Andy Erickson was a good, solid player for us last year,” Morris said. “But what he’s done this year has been so big for us. I mean, the kid is averaging around 20 yards every time he touches the football.”

The Cavs expected Erickson to step up, just like they expected Conner Floyd, Taylor Doyle, Will Hawk and Ian Kelso to shoulder the load on offense. They were all players that played a big role in last year’s title, and they needed to keep improving. But it’s taken the emergence of Regan Womack, Scott Morris and Jack Patton to fill the void left by players like Paden Kelley, Dustin Williams and Chris Aydam.

On defense, Taylor Wrinkle found his niche as a shutdown corner and a player whose speed is a weapon punt and kick returns, as well as on some offensive plays. Collin Lagasse needed to step up at safety to give Hunter Akers a partner in crime, and Omar Duke-Tinson and Ethan Willinger had to step up in the absence of players like Andy Holt, Jack Hourin and Michael Streuling. They’ve done just that.

It’s never easy to step in for such a talented group, and with so much pressure on the program to continue its recent success. At times this season, many have openly questioned if this team is better than last year’s team. And it’s entirely possible.

While players like Brewer and Erickson will always get the attention on offense, and Quinton Crow and Ian Lazarus on defense, it’s taken the effort of an entire team, and a lot of players whose names aren’t called on every play to get the Cavs back to the No. 1 ranking in the state.

The Cavs also won’t be able to win a third title without them. But in eight games, those role players have made it clear that Lake Travis can go all the way again.