Here to Prove.

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Here To Prove

If you asked about my father around town you'd get one of two answers depending on who was answering the question.

Some would likely regale you about his exploits on the football field and the baseball diamond with varying levels of truth. He was really good, probably even great. They'd tell you about all the scholarship offers. They'd tell you about how he won a state championship. The school records would surely be mentioned as well. Folks that went that route usually trailed off after that, wrapping things up with some sort of apology about what happend to him as though he was the victim.

Those who knew him on a more personal level would probably make a less than appealing face and tell you what an ******* he was and how he'd wronged them or someone they knew. You might hear about how poorly he'd treated my mother or myself. Maybe you would get a story about one of the many less than legitimate ways he had tried to make money.

I'd never known him so when he died I didn't feel much. As I grew older I started to feel like something was missing my life. I didn't particularly care for him but I longed for some sort of connection to him on some level. My mother and I had moved nearly to the other side of the country and he never made any effort when we lived in the same county so we definitely didn't hear from him once thousands of miles separated us.

I remember when my mother told me that he was dead. I could tell it hit her hard but she stayed strong and told me then continued to encourage me to talk to her about him if I needed to or wanted to. I never felt the need. We moved on and months went by without either of us mentioning him. He wasn't there for us when he was alive so when he died it didn't change much for us.

Things all changed one day when my mother got another phone call.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Reserve One.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Reserve Two.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Reserve Three.

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Re: Here to Prove.

That's all we need. Feel free to post. Thanks.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Glory Days

SPORTS
Southlake Carroll 27, Smithson Valley 24
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
Dec 17, 2004


CHASE DANIEL (4) HANDS THE BALL OFF TO DARREN FULTON (20) BEFORE ONE OF FULTON'S TOUCHDOWNS

Southlake Carroll's Kevin Ortega had a lot to think about as he lined up to kick the game-winning field goal for the Class 5A Division II championship Saturday.

At the forefront of his thoughts was Carroll's beloved former defensive coordinator Charlie Stalcup, who died of skin cancer five weeks before the season.

"I couldn't stop thinking of him," said Ortega, who hit the 41-yarder as time expired to give Carroll a 27-24 win over Smithson Valley for the Dragons' second title in three years. "He's a big motivation and it's all for him."

The Dragons (16-0) dedicated their season to Stalcup, memorializing him on their programs and championship game T-shirts. After the game, fans joined players and coaches in chanting, "Charlie, Charlie, Charlie …"

"We did this for Charlie Stalcup," Dragons coach Todd Dodge said through tears.

Chase Daniel found Darren Fulton on a 16-yard pass with 6 seconds left that set up the winning kick for Southlake, the top-ranked team in the state and No. 1 in the nation according to USA Today's Super 25.

It was the second time the Dragons beat Smithson Valley (13-3) for the title. Southlake Carroll won 45-14 in 2002 and has won five championships, including three in Class 3A. Since moving up to the state's largest classification, Carroll is 47-1.

Southlake Carroll lost to Katy 16-15 in last year's Division II game.

Dodge said he was proud of how his players handled the pressure of the rankings and national attention.

"Our kids have been through so much this year," Dodge said. "The pressure they dealt with was so intense. I've never had a team that had to deal with so much. It's great that we were able to get this done."

Southlake Carroll trailed most of the second half, going down 24-17 early in the fourth when Eryk Anders blocked a punt and returned it 24 yards for a TD. But then Carroll tied the score 22 seconds later when Daniel hit Kenton Gedwed on a 65-yard touchdown pass.

Daniel, the two-time Associated Press 5A offensive player of the year, finished with 290 yards passing and 89 yards rushing.

He had a slow start though after fumbling twice and being sacked once in the first quarter. On Carroll's first drive, Daniel was dropped for a loss on a keeper, sacked and threw an incompletion before a bad punt gave Smithson Valley the ball on the 21-yard line.

Smithson Valley led 14-10 at halftime on Cody McKinney's 3-yard TD run with 1:01 left in the second quarter. It was the first time the Dragons had been behind at halftime break since October.

Southlake Carroll regained the lead in the third when Fulton barreled in from 17 yards out to make the score 17-14. Fulton ran for 66 yards and two touchdowns and caught four passes for 49 yards. His first score came on a 15-yard run that tied the game late in the first.

Smithson Valley tied it at 17-17 when David Sweet hit a 44-yard field goal that bounced off the left upright near the end of the third quarter.

Zach Bailey had 151 yards passing and ran for a 1-yard touchdown that was the first score for Smithson Valley, which has never won a title game. Keeping the game close was no consolation to Smithson Valley.

"We didn't come up here to see if we could stay in the game with somebody," Smithson Valley coach Larry Hill said. "We came up here with the full intention to win."

The Rangers lost a 42-35 overtime decision to Denton Ryan in the 2001 Class 4A Division I title game.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Eastbound and Down
Summer 2012



"I know," she sighed heavily.

"It's just..." she trailed off, shifting her gaze to Cameron, who was entertaining himself with his collection of*mostly*passed-down Hot Wheels.

"We have a life here. Cam has a life here."

She listened as the person on the other end of the line spoke*for a few moments.

"No, you're right*Dad."

She listened intently and smiled at something that her father said.

"That sounds perfect. I'll start packing tomorrow. We'll be on our way by the end of the week.

"Ok."

"You don't have to..."

"We should be able to stay with Emily just outside of Memphis, then I'll just drive through from there."

"Nine or ten hours from there*I*think."

"Yes, it's been running great, just a gas hog."

"I have some money put away. And I can sell a few things."

"Thanks, Dad, I love you. Cam, come and say hi to Grandpa!"

Cam walked over and took the phone from his mother.

"Hi*Grandpa, I miss you."

Cam smiled as he listened.

"Really? When?!"

"See you soon. I love you."

Cam handed the phone back to his mother.

"Alright, I'll call you tomorrow. We will see you soon."

"Thank you so much, we love you."

---

She shoved the last box into the back of the Suburban and slammed the door. She paused to look at the familiar dealer logo and the collection of stickers that adorned the back window. Each sticker held a story, a memory of the adventures she had once shared with her parents. It was a reminder of the love and support that had guided her throughout her life and was waiting for them back home.

A smile crept onto her face as she looked at Cam and thought of the life they could have ahead of them. She imagined taking him to all the spots the loved as a kid. She remembered the tight knit community she grew up it. She remembered the comfort of feeling safe and stable. She knew she had made the right decision, the best decision for Cam. And for her.

---

"How much longer Mom?" Cam asked from the back seat.

"Not too much further now sweetie, maybe a couple hours."

"How long is a couple hours?"

"Not long, we're close."

"OK," Cam replied as he turned his attention back to the passing scenery.

---

She turned the wheel into the familiar driveway as a wave of emotions passed over her.

"We're..." she started to say while looking in the mirror before realizing Cam was asleep.

"We're here," she whispered.

Before she even had the Suburban in park her father was making his way down the front steps, his gait a bit slower than she'd remembered.
She shut the engine off, turned to check on the still-sleeping Cam, and hopped out to greet her father with a strong, extended embrace.

"I've been waiting a long time for that hug!" He said with a hint of emotion in his voice.

"Me too Daddy."

"Grampa!" Cam yelled from his seat.

Grampa sauntered over and opened the door to get Cam, who jumped into his arms.

---

She looked at the house, noting that little had changed in the six-plus years she had been away. It wasn't huge by any means but there was plenty of space for her and Cam to join her father.

"This is going to be great for all of us." She said as her father and Cam walked past her with boxes.

"I know dear." He replied with a smile.

She turned back toward the Suburban to grab more of their belongings.

---

"That's the last box," she said, dropping it gently on the living room floor and dusting her hands off on each other.

"How about some grub?" Her father asked.

"You hungry buddy?" he asked Cam as he tousled his shaggy blonde hair.

"I'm starving grampa!"

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Re: Here to Prove.

Hope Again

Summer 2022

She took one last look around before closing the door on not only their home but a chapter in their lives.

The past couple years had been hard on them all and, despite the happy memories from her childhood and the past ten years or so, she didn't find herself upset about leaving.

Ten years ago when her and Cam loaded all their belongings and headed east it was in pursuit of a better life for them. And it had been, at least most of it. Now they were headed back west, again in pursuit of a better life.

Covid had taken its toll, both on the family's nearly 150 year old inn and the family itself. When her father got sick all attention turned to his health at the expense of the inn she had been helping run since the move and had all but taken over. After he passed her attempts to prop things up had failed.

Just when she was out of ideas a shining ray of hope came from the most unexpected of places. Cam's grandmother on his father's side reached out. At first it seemed too good to be true, a bustling inn located in one of the biggest destinations in the country, Austin.

Despite having only met her once and having never met Cam she reached out. She was getting too old. Cam was her only family. It only felt right for her, and eventually Cam, to take things over.

Once she got over the feeling that it couldn't be that simple it was an easy decision. Stay here in poverty, struggling to make ends meet or go to Austin and, hopefully, flourish. Both of them.

As she got in the trusty Suburban she looked back at the run down house in the rear view mirror. She couldn't help but notice that this time there wasn't a little boy in a booster seat behind her. This time there was a young man, who had been taller than her for a few years now, sitting in the passenger's seat scrolling through social media on a smartphone while listening to music. She paused for a moment to take it all in before turning the key, hoping the Suburban that too had seen better days would make the trek without trouble.

---

Culture shock couldn't begin to describe how Cam felt when they pulled into the driveway of their new home. Everything looked new, the grounds were meticulously landscaped, everything had a place.

Cam was disappointed when he found out they were leaving what had been his home for most of his life. He knew things weren't great for them there but he had friends. He had his place there. He had a life there. He did his best to hide the disappointment when he saw how his mom's face lit up when she talked about Austin. She had been talking to his grandmother extensively for what seemed like months leading up to the move. She had been given virtual tours, met a lot of the staff and even some of the regular clients before they even packed a box. She was full of excitement he hadn't seen from her in a couple years. She was full of hope again.

---

"Well Cam, Ms. Fitzpatrick," he said as he closed up the folder and tapped it on the desk. "It looks like everything here is in order so I think we can move forward with enrollment."

Cam and his mother, mostly her, had been working on getting transcripts and such from back home in order to get him enrolled in time to start his Junior year at his new school. This was their final meeting with the superintendent and the principal and with everything in order it was now official.

"Do you have any questions for us?" He asked them, looking over the glasses that had slipped down his nose for what seemed like the millionth time.

"I don't think so.." his mother replied. "Cam?"

"When can I start football practice?" Cam asked, trying not to sound too over eager but failing.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Man That's Never Known You
Autumn 2016

"Oh my god, oh my god!" she exclaimed after hearing the words from the other end of the phone.

She let herself collapse on the stairs as she covered her mouth with her free hand.

She looked out into the yard where Cam was playing pass with his grandfather to see if either of them had noticed her reaction, relieved that they hadn't she gathered herself and retreated into the house.

"What..." she trailed off, "What happened?"

She listened, doing her best to keep her emotions in check as the person on the other end of the line explained what had happened.

"Has anyone called his mother?" She asked when there was a pause.

"Do you need anything from me?"

"Ok."

"Ok."

"Thank you. Goodbye."

She collapsed on the floor as soon as the call ended. Despite the tumultuous end to their relationship Darren was still someone she cared about.

Even though Darren made it clear he didn't want to be a father and left before he ever had a chance to get to know Cam, she had maintained hope that one day he would want to be part of Cam's life. Now that wasn't an option.

She cried.

She cried for Darren, she cried for herself. She cried for Mrs. Fulton. But mostly she cried for Cam.

She remembered the emotions she felt when she had lost her mother at seventeen. Now Cam, just ten years old, would have to navigate that same loss.

Would it be the same? Would Cam even react?

How can you feel the pain of the loss of a man that's never known you?

"How the hell am I going to tell Cam?" She whispered to herself.

As she heard the voices of Cam and her father approaching the house she quickly scurried to the bathroom to compose herself as she decided she would first talk to her father tonight before telling Cam tomorrow.

---

Cam sat quietly for a few moments after he was given the news, an inquisitive look on his face.

"Do you have any questions?" she asked as she dried her eyes.

"Why are you sad about him?" he asked after a few more moments of thought.

"Well..." she searched for the words.

"Well, sometimes even though we might not like someone very much we might still care about them because of what they mean to us."

"But he didn't want to be my dad so he doesn't really mean anything to me though."

She felt a mixture of emotions.

Sadness that Cam had never known his father and now he never would.

Relief that Cam was taking it so well and didn't seem phased by the news.

After a moment she held out her arms and motioned for Cam to give her a hug.

He hopped off the couch and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing with all his might.

"I'm sorry that you're sad momma but don't be sad for me."

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Re: Here to Prove.

Pocahontas falls to Midland Trail, will miss playoffs
Nov 6, 2021



Dunmore, WV - After struggling early on in the season a late four game winning streak had Pocahontas hoping to sneak into the playoffs. They came into their season finale with a 5-3 record matching up against 4-4 Midland Trail with the last playoff spot on the line, winner goes to the playoffs, loser goes home.

In what was a hard fought even matchup the lead changed hands several times with Midland Trail getting the ball last and scoring on the final play of the game to secure a 42-38 win.

"They all played hard tonight, both teams, heck of a game and it's tough to come out on the losing end but overall I'm real dang proud of the kids and the coaches. After what we went through to start the season then fight back and win four straight then be so close tonight. Just real proud of 'em all." Pocahontas head coach Chris Sutton said following the game.

Pocahontas started the season losing three out of four games, falling to Greenbrier West, East Hardy and Tygarts Valley with a win over Tucker County coming in their second game. Sitting at 1-3 with a number of injuries and ineffective play at the QB position Coach Sutton decided to shake things up, naming sophomore Cam Fitzpatrick the starting quarterback.

Fitzpatrick immediately sparked the offense, leading the team to wins over Petersburg, Richwood, Pendleton County and Summer County.

"Cam picked things up really quickly and allowed us to open up the playbook quite a bit in the second half of the season." Coach Sutton explained.

Fitzpatrick threw for 12 touchdowns and ran for three more in his five starts, leading Pocahontas to a 4-1 record.

"We were pretty young this season so there's a lot of hope for us going into next season." Sutton said.

Including Fitzpatrick the Warriors will likely return eight starters on offense and seven on defense for the 2022 season.

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Re: Here to Prove.

FOOTBALL
Austin area's top 10 high school football teams: All about No. 2 Lake Travis Cavaliers
Thomas Jones
Austin American-Statesman
Published 7:00 a.m. CT Aug. 23, 2022

No. 2 Lake Travis
Coach: Hank Carter (148-21, 15th season)

2021: 12-3, Class 6A Division I state semifinalist

Hello: QB Bo Edmundson, DL Griffen Willis, RB Nico Hamilton

Goodbye: ATH Derrick Johnson, QB/WR Isaac Norris

Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense

2021 stats: Averaged 45.8 ppg, allowed 23.4 ppg.



Questions to ponder
1. How can Lake Travis replace Derrick Johnson? It won’t be quite a committee, but junior starter Nico Hamilton will likely get some help from senior Aidan Albright while they try and duplicate the 1,455 yards and 19 touchdowns that Johnson had in 2021. Hamilton ran for 794 yards and seven touchdowns a year ago while relieving Johnson, and he looks primed for a big season in an offense that has transitioned from a pass-happy attack to a more balanced scheme.

2. Who steps up at receiver? That’s a question that Cav fans hope gets answered in nondistrict, because junior tight end Drew Rhodes and junior wideout Cole Munnerlyn are the only returning receivers with a varsity catch — and they each had one reception a year ago. Look for starting defensive back Josiah Estes to see some action on offense, and head coach Hank Carter and his coaches love the potential and versatility of junior Kadyn Leon, the heir apparent to Edmundson behind center who will see action this season at receiver.

3. Why should Cav fans be concerned about UIL realignment? To the credit of a Lake Travis program that has won six state titles in the past 15 years, the Cavs can always look ahead to playoff possibilities. Unfortunately, this year’s playoffs could mean another meeting with three-time defending state champion Westlake, which has beaten the Cavs three times in the past four meetings. With an enrollment of 2,842 students, Westlake is now the third largest school in District 26-6A behind Lake Travis and Del Valle. Unless Del Valle makes a surprising run to the playoff, Westlake will compete in the Class 6A Division I Region IV playoff bracket, which Lake Travis has won five times in the past six years.



Pipeline flowing
Lake Travis senior Bo Edmundson, now in his third season as a starter, continued Austin’s most impressive recruiting streak when he committed to Michigan State earlier this year. Edmundson, who threw for 3,239 yards and 38 touchdowns on 62% passing last season, will become the 10th consecutive Lake Travis quarterback to sign with an FBS school, joining an impressive list that includes Todd Reesing (Kansas), Garrett Gilbert (Texas), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), Michael Brewer (Texas Tech), Dominic De Lira (Iowa State), Charlie Brewer (Baylor), Matthew Baldwin (Ohio State), Hudson Card (Texas) and Nate Yarnell (Pittsburgh).

Estes rarely in park
Estes emerged as one of the Cavs’ breakout stars as a sophomore in 2021, when he had 53 tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Coaches took notice of that nose for the end zone; Estes will likely see lots of action at receiver while maintaining his role as a lockdown coverman in the Cavs’ secondary.

Drawing the lines
The strength of this year’s squad may be its, well, strength. Carter and his staff think Lake Travis has its deepest set of linemen since the 2016 team that won the Cavs’ most recent state title. Griffen Willis, a 255-pound senior, and 275-pound junior Jacob Henry give the Cavs one of the top defensive tackle tandems in the Austin area while 270-pound junior Mo Oratokhai and 250-pound senior Daniel Sowell anchor a veteran offensive line.

Did you know?
After years of speculation about a possible second high school in the fast-growing Lake Travis school district, it seems that the school district’s residents will finally get their say. The Lake Travis school board placed a bond package that will fund a second high school on the ballot in November. The district has already purchased land near Texas 71 and Reimers-Peacock Road, near the West Cypress Hills neighborhood, for a second high school.

Our view
What will it take for the Cavs to beat Westlake, and will that happen this season?
Thomas Jones: The Cavs have the edge at quarterback, and they may finally neutralize Westlake’s advantage in the trenches. So why do I think Lake Travis will fall short against Westlake for the fourth time in the past five years? To paraphrase noted American philosopher Ric Flair, to be the man, you have to beat the man. And I don’t think Lake Travis has quite enough guys to beat Westlake’s skill players down the field.

Rick Cantu: Anything is possible when these teams play, but I'll say Westlake's defense will prevail this fall. Best chance for Lake Travis would be for quarterback Bo Edmundson to have a 300-yard passing game and for his receivers to create big plays in the end zone.

-Thomas Jones

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Re: Here to Prove.

FOOTBALL
Lake Travis eager to kick off football season on ESPNU as Cavaliers take on Arlington Martin
Jay Plotkin American-Statesman Correspondent
Published 7:00 a.m. CT Aug. 20, 2022



Most years a shot at a state championship provides all the motivation football players need to arrive for preseason practice in top shape.

For Lake Travis, an invitation to play its season opener on national television delivered a bit more motivation — and excitement — to offseason workouts.

“I want to come into fall camp in the best shape that I can,” junior defensive tackle and resident strongman Jacob Henry said. “I don’t want to be seen as out of shape on that national TV game. I want people to see that I’m tough and gritty.”

Lake Travis’ opener at Arlington Martin is part of the GEICO ESPN High School Football Kickoff. The Cavaliers and Warriors will meet Thursday at Arlington’s Choctaw Stadium (the former home of the Texas Rangers) in a game televised on ESPNU.

“Everyone has circled the opener because of ESPN,” senior quarterback Bo Edmundson said.

Since taking its place among the top high school teams in Texas in the late 2000s, Lake Travis finds itself on television more than most. After winning that initial title, the Cavaliers have made numerous appearances on Fox Sports Southwest/Bally Sports and local outlets, including KBVO, which broadcasts Thursday night games and select playoff games. Dave Campbell’s "Texan Live" broadcasts each Lake Travis game online, but this is different. The Cavaliers haven’t been on an ESPN platform for some time.

“I believe the last time was the first time (our staff) played Westlake,” in 2008, Lake Travis coach Hank Carter said.

Lake Travis won that game 38-17. Win or lose later this month, Carter knows his team will savor the opportunity.

“That’s going to be incredible for our program, our school, our community,” he said. “I think it will be awesome.”

ESPN has placed Lake Travis’ meeting with Martin on Thursday of the opening week. It’s the first game of a busy seven-game weekend for the network in which it looks to feature high-profile recruits. The Cavaliers don’t have anyone ranked in ESPN’s top 300 for either class, and that’s a motivator as well.

“There is no better chance for us to get noticed,” Lake Travis junior running back Nico Hamilton said. “ESPN is the biggest stage you can be on for sports, and I think that’s going to be a big game. None of us want to miss that opportunity coming up.”

“There are so many of us who are really tough, and maybe we aren’t being recruited like we deserve to be,” Henry said. “But we’ve all got each other’s backs, and we are expecting to do well.”

"It's a pretty incredible opportunity," said newcomer Cam Fitzpatrick, who recently moved to Austin from West Virginia. "Football is big back in West Virginia, this is a whole different level."

Junior offensive lineman Mo Oratokhai echoed his teammates’ feelings about the game.

“We are super excited for that,” he said. “Martin is a good team, and we definitely want to beat them. Playing on ESPN is the cherry on top. We can showcase our program and let everyone know that we’re still Lake Travis and still a really good team.”

Lake Travis enters the 2022 season ranked seventh in the preseason Class 6A poll published by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football for The Associated Press. Martin enters ranked No. 15. It’s the fourth time the teams have met in a season opener ****** back to 2018. Lake Travis leads the series 2-1.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Ah, this is interesting. All the way back to 2022.

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Re: Here to Prove.

Ah, this is interesting. All the way back to 2022.

we visited 2004 too, just getting started on the time hopping!

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Re: Here to Prove.

FOOTBALL
With starting quarterback Bo Edmundson sidelined, Lake Travis falls in football season opener
Jay Plotkin American-Statesman Correspondent
Published 1:46 p.m. CT Aug. 26, 2022

ARLINGTON — Without Michigan State-bound quarterback Bo Edmundson, normally pass-happy Lake Travis went all in on the running of Nico Hamilton and Kadyn Leon but couldn’t quite get over the hump in a 39-31 loss to 15th-ranked Arlington Martin on Thursday night.

The seventh-ranked Cavaliers fell behind 18-3 and never quite recovered despite pulling within one score a handful of times.

“We didn’t want to throw the ball a whole lot because that would play into their strength,” Cavaliers coach Hank Carter said. “We had some things that were available but just couldn’t convert when we needed to.”

Edmundson, who ranks seventh on the Cavaliers’ all-time passing list with 4,774 career yards, aggravated a back injury in last week’s scrimmage against Cedar Ridge. Rather than force the issue and risk further injury, coaches sat him for the opener.

“He came to us following the scrimmage (last Thursday against Cedar Ridge) and told us his back didn’t feel right,” Carter said of Edmundson. “After talking with Bo, his family and (offensive coordinator Tommy) Mangino, we felt it’s best to hold him out.”



Edmundson’s injury thrust Leon, an athletic three-sport junior, into the lineup in a different spot. Leon had been Lake Travis’ most effective receiver throughout spring and preseason practice. Against Martin, he completed just 4 of 12 passes for 47 yards and a score.

Going away from their trademark passing attack, the Cavaliers put their offense on the shoulders of the line, and it delivered. Time and again the combination of Leon and Hamilton found room to run as Lake Travis pushed Martin’s defense around. Hamilton finished with a career-best 201 yards on 29 carries, including a 72-yard touchdown. Leon ran through Martin’s defense for another 172 yards.

Even when it became evident to everyone at Choctaw Stadium and most everyone watching on ESPNU that the Cavaliers were running the ball, Martin’s defense had few answers.

“Knowing it’s coming and stopping it are two different things,” Carter said. “Our offensive line and our tight ends did well. When we stay away from friendly fire, we can be really effective running the ball.”

Leading up to the game, Hamilton noted that the Cavaliers didn’t have anyone on the ESPN 300 watch list for either the class of 2023 or 2024, and that motivated him and his teammates to put their best foot forward. It’s likely that he and several of the offensive linemen might get a few more looks on the recruiting trail.

“We couldn’t ask for a better performance from the line today,” Hamilton said. “I told them before the game that I’d have their back as long as they had mine, and they blew my expectations away by far.”

With no real timeline for Edmundson’s return to put the Cavaliers back on their pass-happy axis, the offense might look more like Liberty Hill’s in the short term. However, Carter said his team must throw the ball effectively if Cibolo Steele or future opponents load the box to stop the run.

“We are going to have to get better,” Carter said of the passing attack. “If we can force people to load the box, there will be opportunities for big plays, and we’ll need to hit those. We had chances tonight but just didn’t do it. We want to throw the ball better, and we will. It’s choreography and precision and timing.”

Junior Cam Fitzpatrick, who is new to the program, is also listed at QB for the Cavaliers. Fitzpatrick threw for twelve touchdowns in five games as a starter for Pocahontas County High School in West Virginia last season. He moved to Austin over the summer.

"He just needs more time in the system before he's ready to be out there. He's close."

Though the Cavaliers ran the ball effectively, they struggled to stop Martin, particularly when they needed to down the stretch. Lake Travis held Martin scoreless in the third quarter but couldn’t get the Warrior offense off the field in the fourth.

Led by Michael Barrow (125 yards on 13 carries, four total TDs), Martin converted a trio of crucial third downs in the fourth quarter to keep Lake Travis at arm’s length. Martin scored touchdowns on its first two possessions in the final quarter and ran out the clock on its third.

“We weren’t good enough on the edge, and we just didn’t tackle well enough,” Carter said after his defense allowed 304 yards on the ground. “We need to be better at executing in the big moments.”

Frustrating as it is, the Cavaliers know one nondistrict loss doesn’t take away from long-term goals.

“We love learning things in a win, but that didn’t happen tonight,” Carter said.

Another solid opponent and a final nondistrict learning opportunity await next week at Cibolo Steele.