In San Antonio, the dominance of Austin high school football prevailed yet again, as Lake Travis refused to become an upset statistic in the Texas high school football regional semifinals against San Antonio Brennan, despite initially conceding the game’s opening points.
Delivering a commanding performance, the Cavaliers secured a resounding 34-7 victory over Brennan at the Alamodome, showcasing both an impenetrable defense and a prolific second-quarter offensive surge.
With this win, the Cavaliers advance to the TX-6A Division I regional final next week, awaiting the winner between their arch-rival Austin-Westlake and Laredo United, who face off Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Alamodome.
Head coach Hank Carter praised San Antonio’s football tradition while expressing pride in his team’s performance against a formidable Brennan side. Nico Hamilton stole the spotlight with an impressive display, amassing 221 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 27 carries, while the Cavaliers’ defense contained Brennan, granting Lake Travis a commanding 24-7 halftime lead.
The Lake Travis offense exhibited relentless prowess, responding swiftly to Brennan’s early lead. Despite the Bears’ defense initially holding firm, a 33-yard field goal by Braydon Doane trimmed Brennan’s lead to 7-3, setting the stage for the Cavaliers’ dominance.
Lake Travis capitalized on their offensive drives, seizing the momentum with three touchdowns in four drives, including a 29-yard touchdown pass from Chaston Ditta to senior wide receiver Cole Munneryn, propelling Lake Travis ahead 10-7.
Hamilton’s impactful performance shone brightly as he sprinted for a 49-yard touchdown, breaking open the game with a 24-7 lead at the start of the second quarter. Adding to the scoreline, Hamilton secured his second touchdown with a short two-yard run, concluding a drive where he amassed 60 rushing yards, cementing a comfortable 24-7 halftime lead.
The Cavaliers maintained their momentum post-halftime, as Ditta connected with Munneryn for a 46-yard touchdown reception, extending their lead to 31-7.
Lake Travis effectively contained Brennan’s rushing attack throughout the third quarter while utilizing Hamilton to manage the clock. Doane added another 33-yard field goal, stretching Lake Travis’ lead to 34-7 with six minutes remaining in the game.
Brennan had initially claimed the game’s opening touchdown with a 60-yard burst down the right sideline by sophomore running back Micai Thompson, seizing an early 7-0 lead. However, Lake Travis’ tenacious performance dictated the remainder of the game, securing their commanding victory.
