Posted: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 08:19 AM - 21,939 Readers

By: Jeff Andrews

Austin Lake Travis can wrap up its state record fifth straight crown with a win over Waco Midway (13-2) in the Class 4A Division I state title game on Friday at Cowboys Stadium.

The Cavaliers (15-0) already belong in elite company having won four straight. Only Celina (1998-2001) and Sealy (1994-97) have accomplished that feat, although Aledo can join the three-timers club with a win over Manvel on Saturday.

Would a win make Lake Travis the most dominant dynasty in Texas history?

Celina’s run came at the 2A level. Sealy did it in 3A. Southlake Carroll may have the best argument having won four 5A state titles in five years from 2002 to 2006, going 79-1 in the process. Carroll’s one loss was a 16-15 defeat at the hands of Katy in the 2003 state-title game.

While Lake Travis’ dynasty can top Carroll’s in total state titles, it won’t catch the Dragons in win percentage. The Cavs lost to Austin Westlake in 2007 and to Aledo and Cedar Park in 2010, giving them at least three defeats in their five-year run.

Both Carroll and Lake Travis represent affluent communities, but there’s one interesting difference between the two dynasties. Lake Travis has had three different head coaches in that time span -- Jeff Dicus, Chad Morris and now Hank Carter -- while Carroll had just one -- Todd Dodge.

A fifth straight title is not guaranteed for Lake Travis, though. Midway is riding an impressive nine-game winning streak in which it’s given up more than 20 points just once. The Panthers beat previously undefeated Denton Ryan, 19-7, and destroyed an athletic Tyler team (51-20) that knocked off Highland Park and Sherman.

If Lake Travis does win a fifth title, the sixth may be harder to come by. The school will likely go 5A next year.

*  Story Contributed by: Jeff Andrews