Lake Travis secures home playoff berth with 31-14 victory
The Cavaliers' dominant performance against Round Rock ends a difficult stretch and confirms their top seed in District 25-6A.
By Marta Gray ·
Lake Travis High School football snapped a three-game losing streak Friday night, defeating Round Rock 31-14 in Round Rock, Texas. The win secures the Cavaliers the top seed in District 25-6A, granting them a home playoff game in two weeks.
Quarterback Jason Carter carried the offense with 207 passing yards and 50 rushing yards. He completed 21 of 30 passes without an interception and scored two touchdowns on the ground. Carter also threw for two more scores, totaling four touchdowns in the contest.
The Cavaliers overcame an early 7-3 deficit to control the game. Carter capped a 70-yard drive with a 38-yard run, then led an 87-yard drive that ended in a touchdown pass to Teddy Lofgren. A 39-yard touchdown pass to Gray Garrick late in the second quarter gave Lake Travis a commanding lead at halftime.
Defensive pressure was a deciding factor. The Cavaliers recorded three interceptions, one each by Strong, Carter Lofton, and Dylan Rennell. These turnovers limited Round Rock quarterback Dov Stickler to 49 passing yards on 8-of-19 attempts. The defense also stifled the Dragons' ground game, forcing Round Rock into a vertical passing attack that failed to connect with receivers Dylan Jaeger and Simon Sylvain.
Special teams contributed directly to the scoring. Harrison Walters converted a 39-yard field goal. Luca Antoun returned a kickoff 30 yards to start the second half, setting up the field position for Carter's second rushing touchdown.
Round Rock coach Cody Moore cited preparation as the primary issue for his team. He noted that the Dragons lacked the energy and passion seen in practice, a trend he observed building over the previous weeks. Moore stated that the team must improve its daily preparation regardless of the opponent.
Strong, a defensive player for Lake Travis, emphasized the importance of physicality. He said the team has been coached to hit opponents and create turnovers, a strategy that paid off in the final score. He noted that last season's struggles with turnovers made this year's focus on physical play a priority.
The Cavaliers have played five road games this season due to stadium renovations that concluded this month. They did not play at home until Oct. 9. With the playoff win, Lake Travis will host its fourth home game of the season. The team plays Westwood next week to conclude the regular season, while Round Rock faces Cedar Ridge.
Carter expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, stating that they had not been playing to their full potential until Friday. He said the squad decided to come out fighting to secure wins and focus on the postseason.
