Posted: Mon, 15 Nov 2010 07:45 AM - 9,546 Readers

By: Rick Cantu

One of the most exciting football games in Central Texas this fall will have a rematch in the second round of the playoffs: Lake Travis vs. Kerrville Tivy.

One week after having its 48-game winning streak snapped, Lake Travis rallied for a gut-check, 37-33 victory over Tivy on Sept. 17 at Cavalier Stadium. Playing with a backup quarterback, the Cavaliers rallied from a 19-0 deficit and took the lead for good on Colin Lagasse's 19-yard touchdown pass to Griffin Gilbert in the fourth quarter.

The rematch in the Class 4A area round will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio.

"That game gave the kids some confidence," first-year Cavs coach Hank Carter said. "It showed that if we execute our plays, we can win even if we're missing some of our key players."

Lake Travis (9-2) played without quarterback Michael Brewer, center Casey Laney and receiver Tanner Gillette.

Carter said it will take "defensive discipline" to contain Tivy senior Johnny Manziel, one of the state's most dynamic quarterbacks. The Texas A&M-bound Manziel show his run-pass ability on Friday by accounting for seven touchdowns in a 49-21, bidistrict victory over Hays.

Manziel ran for four touchdowns and threw for three more, giving him 41 touchdown passes this fall.

Brewer, Laney and Gillette are back in the Lake Travis offensive lineup and Lagasse has been a key contributor as a running back. The Cavs are still waiting for the possible return of senior receiver Conner Floyd, who broke his leg in a season-opening victory over Westlake.

Floyd, who led Cavalier receivers with 69 catches for 1,316 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior, has resumed workouts. Before last Thursday's bidistrict victory over McCallum, Floyd said he hopes to return during the playoffs but is uncertain when he'll return.

Junior receiver Gilbert has taken up most of the slack. He leads the team with 60 catches for 904 yards and 12 touchdowns.

*  Story Contributed by: Rick Cantu