16. Lake Travis (Austin, Texas) - Full preview
Baker Mayfield continues the Lake Travis tradition of exceptional quarterback play. He will likely post video game statistics as a senior.
Photo by Keith Owens
Strengths: Passing, passing, passing. Quarterback
Baker Mayfield returns after a junior season where he put up typical Lake Travis quarterback statistics: 3,788 passing yards and 45 touchdowns. Junior running back
Varshaun Nixon provides an interesting wrinkle to the scheme: He hauled in 351 receiving yards last year but he’s also one of the state’s best running backs in the Class of 2014.
Zach Austin will assume the No. 1 receiver role left vacant by Griffin Gilbert.
Question marks: The team’s defense needs to be reloaded, but the Cavaliers do have returning starters on the defensive line, among the linebacking corps and in the secondary.
Brock Kenyon, who intercepted two passes in the state finals, while roam around at the safety spot while
Luke Hutton, who also had an interception in the title game, will highlight an inexperienced linebacking corps.
Outlook: Notable this season is Lake Travis’ jump to Class 5A, where it will likely end up in the Class 5A-II bracket. It won’t matter. Lake Travis has beaten numerous teams that have been on the border between 4A and 5A. This is one of the top programs in the state regardless of class and has become one of the most successful in the country. Once the defense come together during the regular season, the Cavaliers will be a favorite to capture an astonishing sixth-straight state title.
