Following Thursday’s 62-13 win over San Marcos to wrap up non-district play, Lake Travis safety Cam’Ren-Chance Brooks assessed how his team has played during its 4-0 start.

“I’d give us a 7.5 out of 10,” Brooks said. “There have been some little things that take us down a little bit, but we’re getting there.”

Lake Travis will begin District 26-6A play next week with some lofty rankings – and expectations. The Cavaliers hold down the top spot in the Stateman’s latest 6A rankings and are ranked 7th in the latest Texas Football/Associated Press 6A rankings – tops among area teams. And they know, Brooks said, there’s still a lot of work to be done before the Cavaliers are ready to try for their lofty goals.

Cavaliers’ coach Hank Carter agreed with his senior safety’s assessment of the team’s non-district performance.

“I like that,” he said. “I’d probably give us a 7. I base it off what’s possible with our potential. I think we’re on the right track. I think we’re talented, but we can always play better.”

After two years on the varsity as a key contributor, Brooks has moved into a leadership role. It’s something he’s had to work at, but he saw how recent graduate Josiah Estes worked to get the best out of his teammates and he’s trying to do that in his own way.

“It’s been a little bit of a challenge, but I picked up a lot of things from (last year’s leaders), so I think I know where to start,” Brooks said.

Carter agreed.

“He’s an outstanding leader,” the coach said. “He’s so well-respected by the guys. He doesn’t have to say much. He’s earned that type of respect from the guys because he walks the walk. You just watch how he plays. Watch his effort. There’s never bad body language, never poor effort, never poor physicality. When he says something, the guys take notice.”

As next week’s District 26-6A opener with Bowie approaches, Brooks hopes his teammates are noticing what they need to do to prepare for much bigger, much more consequential games than they’ve played in September.

“For the team, we’re preparing for the big games at the end of the season,” he said.

Brooks has played in his share of big games. He played a key role in Lake Travis’ secondary in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons, helping the Cavaliers to reach the 3rd and 4th rounds of the playoffs. He says the path to greater success starts with continuing to improve the team’s camaraderie.

“We have it and we’re working on it, but we have to finalize all of it,” Brooks said. “I just try to get the guys together when we’re out of school, getting us together to watch film, just generally being around each other. Once we get that together, then we’re going to be great.”

Through the team’s 4-0 start, Brooks has been playing free and easy football. He averages 8 tackles a game and had a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown against Midland Legacy. He said he’s a bit more relaxed because over the summer he closed down his recruitment after committing to Stephen F. Austin in July.

“I wanted to get that decision over with,” Brooks said, citing the family atmosphere the coaches have created in Nacogdoches. “It’s a big relief. Now I can just focus on playing football. It gives me a sense of peace.”

Before the game, Brooks received a $1,000 scholarship award after being selected to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s Most Driven Team presented by Higginbotham.