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State champions again.
Yes, it’s July, but the Cavaliers are taking home another football title, finally snaring the Texas 7on7 DI championship with a 42-39 win over DeSoto Saturday at Kyle Field.
Just two weeks ago, the Lake Travis 7on7 team was upset at the Red Bull Game Breakers tournament in the Cotton Bowl by Cy-Fair. It turned out to be a motivator unlike anything the team’s had before.
“That loss at the Cotton Bowl really motivated us to do our best in this tournament,” Lake Travis quarterback Michael Brewer said. “In the past, we’ve never made it this far – we haven’t even made the championship. We just used that as fuel for our fire and it took us all the way.”
In the championship game, Lake Travis opened up with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Brewer to Conner Floyd, which was followed by a two-point conversion pass by the same duo for an early 8-0 lead.
DeSoto managed seven offensive plays on its next drive, but was halted by the Lake Travis defense in the red zone.
The Cavaliers answered on fourth down in the red zone on its ensuing drive with another pass from Brewer to Floyd. A one-point conversion pass to Griffin Gilbert gave Lake Travis a 15-0 lead.
With the Eagles on the ropes, Lake Travis wasn’t able to put away the win before halftime, and DeSoto closed the gap to make it 21-14 at the break. The Cavaliers stayed ahead thanks to another Floyd 45-yard touchdown.
DeSoto opened the second half on a mission, tying the game at 21-21 in just four plays, putting the Cavaliers on notice.
But Tanner Gillette responded with a 13-yard touchdown reception, followed by a one-point conversion for a 28-21 lead.
On DeSoto’s next possession, Austin Williams tipped a pass that Zach Streuling brought down for an interception, and Lake Travis promptly answered with a quick drive that was capped by a five-yard touchdown reception by Turney Maurer. The conversion attempt failed, but the Cavaliers held a 34-21 lead.
DeSoto then scored on back-to-back drives, holding Lake Travis scoreless in between to close the lead to 34-33. But on a one-point conversion pass, Lake Travis’ Omar Duke-Tinson was able to knock the ball down to preserve the lead.
Floyd was the go-to guy again on the next drive, scoring on a 45-yard touchdown pass that cemented the lead with just minutes remaining.
DeSoto scored again on its next drive, but again, Duke-Tinson broke up the conversion pass. One final first down conversion pass to Alex Matthews and a few time wasting bombs out of the back of the end zone to Brewer’s younger brother sealed the win.
Not surprisingly, Floyd’s four-touchdown finals performance was enough to solidify his position as MVP of the tournament.
“We came out ready to play today,” Floyd said. “Michael puts the ball in perfect places for me and never forces the issue if I’m not open, and he doesn’t have to because we have a great offense. It’s a lot easier for me because everyone else does such a good job.”
Floyd’s contribution was massive, but it was Duke-Tinson’s two pass break ups with time winding down that accounted for a three-point win.
“We knew after the close game [with LCM] that we had to step up on defense,” Duke-Tinson said. “It feels pretty good. I love winning state championships, it feels great to be a part of the team and feel like you’re making an impact. Now I’m hoping we can win one more championship this fall and four-peat.”
It was also a nice victory for the coaches that have been steering the 7on7 teams each summer for nearly a decade.
“This is the result of all the hard work these kids put in every single year. It’s nice to see it culminate in a championship,” coach Gale Gilbert said. “It takes a lot of things coming together to get this far. I think it started with a little refocus after that loss at the Cotton Bowl, and they knew they couldn’t ever let off the pedal if they’re ahead. I’m just happy as heck that this group accomplished what they did.”
In one month, they’ll get back together to try to accomplish even more. Again.
Game-by-game results for LT
7on7 state championship held at Texas A&M Intramural Fields and Kyle Field, College Station.
Friday, July 9 (Pool play)
■ Lake Travis 53, Lecagy 20
■ Lake Travis 50, Cy-Woods 33
■ Lake Travis 36, Abilene 30
Saturday, July 10 (Championship Bracket)
■ Lake Travis 56, Boswell 25
■ Lake Travis 46, LCM 45 (OT)
■ Lake Travis 42, West Brook 13
■ Lake Travis 45, S.A. MacArthur 32
■ Lake Travis 42, DeSoto 39
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