Lake Travis Dominates San Antonio Johnson

By Chris Doelle
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Updated: November 20, 2023

Austin Lake Travis vs San Antonio Johnson - Steve Thomas

photos: Steve Thomas

Cavaliers Trounce Jaguars to Set Up Rematch with San Antonio Brennan

Last week, the Lake Travis Cavaliers and San Antonio Johnson Jaguars won their bi-district matchups in dramatic fashion. Against Austin Vandegrift, the Cavaliers netted a last-second field goal to advance 13-10. The Jaguars, meanwhile, scored a last-minute touchdown to rally for a 36-33 win over New Braunfels. On Friday night in the area round of the UIL 6A D1 playoffs at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos, the Cavaliers made sure there was no such drama. Prior to kickoff, Lake Travis Head Coach Hank Carter said that one of the keys to beating the Jaguars was scoring a large number of points. The Cavaliers certainly accomplished that goal. Behind dominant performances on both sides of the ball, the Cavaliers routed the Jaguars 48-21. Offensively, running back Nico Hamilton led his team with three touchdowns. Defensively, the Lake Travis secondary made life miserable for Johnson quarterback Ty Hawkins with six interceptions.

From the start, the Cavaliers left no doubt that they were not the underdogs. On the opening kickoff, defensive back Josiah Estes returned the ball 78 yards for a touchdown. Following the touchdown, the Cavaliers’ defense took over. All three of the Jaguars’ first-quarter drives ended with interceptions by defensive backs Keiondre Lewis and Cam’Ren-Chance Brooks and linebacker Easton Aird. Nico Hamilton capitalized on the first two interceptions with touchdown runs of three and 12 yards, and receiver Kadyn Leon caught a 10-yard touchdown pass to give Lake Travis a 27-0 lead.

Finally in the second quarter, the Jaguars managed to get on the board. Ty Hawkins connected with receiver Gabriel Simpson for a 27-yard touchdown pass, but the Cavaliers stole the momentum back on the following drive. Lake Travis started the drive with excellent field position, and quarterback Chaston Ditta capped off the drive with a 12-yard touchdown scramble. For the rest of the half, it was déjà vu for the Johnson offense. Lake Travis linebacker Everett Underhill and defensive backs Walker Moore and Josiah Estes ended all three of Johnson’s drives with interceptions. Nico Hamilton also scored his third touchdown of the night following Underhill’s interception.

In the third quarter, Lake Travis’s defensive dominance continued. The Cavaliers forced a turnover on downs on both of Johnson’s opening drives. Late in the third quarter, Ty Hawkins got a touchdown back for the Jaguars on a ten-yard touchdown keeper; but the Jaguars would not be able to get any closer. On the ensuing Lake Travis drive, sophomore running back Vann Hopping got a chance to shine. Hopping capped off the drive with a three-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. After Lake Travis scored, Jaguar running back Lorenn Johnson broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run on his team’s final offensive drive.

With the win, Lake Travis advances to the regional semifinals. Waiting for them will be a familiar foe, the San Antonio Brennan Bears. The matchup will be the third-consecutive playoff meeting between the teams and will take place Friday, November 24th at 1:00pm CST at the Alamodome . Last year, the Bears stunned the Cavaliers 34-17 in the same round. Talking with Coach Carter and some of the players after the game, the revenge aspect is not a major motivational factor. For the Cavaliers, the goal is a much bigger prize, a trip to Arlington and a chance to play for a state title.

San Antonio Johnson, meanwhile, finishes the season at 10-2. The Jaguars have now made the playoffs ten consecutive years and have only missed the playoffs four times since their inaugural season in 2008.

by Steve Thomas

Players Pictured

Austin Lake Travis