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Homecoming brought few surprises for the third-ranked Lake Travis, as the Cavaliers (7-1, 4-0) crushed Rouse (0-8, 0-4) 62-14.
Lake Travis quarterback Michael Brewer hit receiver Griffin Gilbert streaking down the Rouse sideline for a 26-yard touchdown pass on the second play of the game, and the rout was on.
After Blake Burdette recovered a Raider fumble on the ensuing possession, the Cavaliers turned right back around and Brewer hit Gilbert again – this time for a two-yard completion to extend the lead to 13-0.
Another prompt defensive stop led to Brewer hitting Colin Lagasse for a 27-yard touchdown pass, and Lagasse followed that up with a five-yard touchdown run on the Cavaliers’ next possession. The quick first quarter bursts gave Lake Travis a 27-0 edge heading into the second quarter, which proved to be even more productive.
Brewer hit Brock Kenyon for a 30-yard touchdown less than a minute into the second quarter, then Tanner Gillette scored on an 18-yard touchdown run. It ended a scoring drought for the senior receiver that has been brought on by leg injuries this season.
“It was good to get a couple touches and get back into the rhythm,” Gillette said. “This is probably the first game this year where I’ve felt close to 100 percent. It’s been hard, but I’ve just tried to fight through the setbacks.”
Michael Pojman kept things going with a one-yard touchdown run and Lagasse finished the half with an interception return for a touchdown. Lake Travis led 55-0 at halftime, and the second team played the entire second half.
Sophomore quarterback Baker Mayfield, making his first varsity appearance this season, kept the rout going with an 11-yard touchdown run. Mayfield collected 49 yards on his first three varsity runs.
“It was a great experience,” Mayfield said. “I was glad we got up on them so much in the first half so that I’d get a chance.”
But when receivers coach Ryan Priem told Mayfield to warm-up, he froze.
“I didn’t know what to do,” Mayfield laughed. “But it went well. The line blocked really well. They’re always prepared.”
The Rouse offense was relentless in the face of adversity, as Raiders Tai Gadison, Ed Butts and Logan Kinder combined for 205 rushing yards – 184 of which came in the second half. Butts and Kinder both had touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Brewer led Lake Travis with nine completions on 13 attempts for 160 yards and four touchdowns, and ran five times for 59 yards. He said the win was less about the final score and more about Lake Travis improving as the playoffs near.
“I think last week against Vista Ridge was a big step for us,” Brewer said. “This week was about getting better and sending a message to the teams we’re going to play down the road. I think putting that many points on the board early was a big step for our confidence going forward.”
In four district wins, Lake Travis has outscored its opponents 204-21. Rouse is the first team in 25-4A to score more than seven points on the Cavaliers.
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