Lake Travis Fends Off Johnson, Stays Unbeaten at 14–0
Playoff pressure hit both sidelines Friday night, but only one team handled the moment with championship poise. Lake Travis kept its spotless record intact, grinding out a 27 to 19 victory over previously unbeaten Johnson and moving one step closer to a December finish.
Hopping Breaks Loose Again
The Cavaliers leaned heavily on their workhorse, and once again Vann Hopping delivered. The senior tailback pounded out 154 rushing yards and a touchdown, averaging more than seven yards every time he touched the ball. His biggest highlight came on a breathtaking 79 yard burst that flipped field position and ignited the Lake Travis sideline.
Cavaliers’ Defense Sets the Tone
Lake Travis won this game because its defense dominated up front. Johnson’s run game never found daylight, held to just 2.6 yards per carry as the Cavaliers swarmed every gap and closed every crease. Braeden Lott was everywhere, piling up ten tackles, two behind the line, adding a half sack, and knocking down a pass for good measure.
The pass rush took over long before the final whistle. Johnson quarterback Elvis Estrada spent much of the night under duress as Lake Travis racked up six sacks. Carter Buck was practically living in the backfield, finishing with three and a half sacks to continue a scorching late season stretch.
Jaguars Fight but Fall Short
Estrada showed grit despite the constant pressure, running for 78 yards and punching in two touchdowns to keep Johnson close. Receiver Bryson Thompson added 54 yards through the air, but the Jaguars could never quite steal the momentum back after falling behind.
Johnson’s remarkable season takes its first hit, dropping the Jaguars to 13 and 1.
Next Challenge: A Heavyweight Opponent
Lake Travis marches forward at 14 and 0 and now turns its attention to a powerhouse. North Shore awaits on Friday night at seven, bringing a streak of explosive scoring and a reputation for rising on the biggest stages.
The Cavaliers have answered every test so far. The next one might be the toughest yet.
