Yes, I'm aware that last week's list of the 10 best players in Lake Travis history included exactly zero defensive players. While the Cavaliers have certainly had their share of defensive standouts, given the Mayfields, Wilsons and Gilberts that have come through, it shouldn't be a surprise that offense dominated the overall list.

With that said, here's a look at the 10 best defensive players in Lake Travis history, starting with a few honorable mentions:

Not Quite Top 10: Tyler Paulsen, DE, 2009-11; James Bailey, LB, 2012-14; Harry Hatch, DB, 2007-08; Blake Burdette, DE-LB, 2010-11; Mateo Lopez, LB, 2014-16; Tevin Paul, DL, 2013-15.

10. Nathan Parodi, DB, 2016-17. A versatile defensive back who saw time at both corner and safety, Parodi was a lock-down defender with a nose for the ball. In tying the single-season mark for interceptions with 7 in 2017, he had interceptions in 5 straight games to help the Cavaliers to the state championship game a year after they won the title in 2016. He also made 104 tackles in 2017. He went on to become a dynamic punt returner at Arkansas.

9. Ian Lazarus, DB, 2007-09. One of Lake Travis’ most prolific tacklers from the safety spot, Lazarus was a 3-year starter who registered 288 career stops (9th all-time), including 137 as a senior in 2009. His 174 solo tackles rank 4th on the all-time list.

8. Quentin Crow, LB, 2008-09. Always around the ball, Crow controlled the Lake Travis defense during its 2008 and 2009 championship seasons. He totaled 389 tackles (3rd all time) in 32 games over those championship seasons, including a program-record 288 assisted tackles.

7. Chris Roller, DB, 2012-14. In addition to being a record-setting punt returner who still holds several single-season and career punt return records – in 2014 he averaged 21.9 yards on 18 returns, 3 of which he brought back for touchdowns – he also shares the career record for interceptions with 9 as the last line of defense during the Cavaliers’ first years at 6A. Bonus points as a standout baseball player who earned a call-up to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2024.

6. Sammy Ochoa, LB/DL, 2014-16. Before a car accident ended his high school career midway through his senior season, Ochoa had been a force. As a sophomore linebacker in 2014, he posted 87 tackles that included 16 tackles for loss and 12 sacks (3rd best single season sack total). As a defensive lineman in 2015-16, he anchored a unit that lost just 1 regular season game while making another 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. His 19.5 career sacks rank 4th on the all-time list. His 28.5 tackles for loss rank 5th all-time.

5. Maui Trevino, LB, 2017-19. As a 3-year starter, Trevino proved to be one of the most consistent – and prolific – tacklers to patrol the Cavalier defense. He finished his career with a program-best 260 solo tackles and ranks second all-time with 423 total tackles. He is one of 3 players with more than 100 tackles in 3 seasons.

4. Luke Hutton, DB, 2011-13. One of the most consistent – and athletic -- players to patrol Lake Travis’ defense, Hutton is one of 3 players with more than 100 tackles in 3 seasons. His 367 total tackles rank 4th all-time. A key component for the 2011 defense as a sophomore, he went on to have a successful career at Harvard. He also started for the basketball team while at Lake Travis.

3. Zach Streuling, DB, 2009-11. Widely regarded as the hardest hitter ever to patrol Lake Travis’ secondary, Streuling ranks 6th in career tackles with 328 and his 8 career interceptions are tied for 3rd all-time. He earned all-state honors after posting 198 tackles and 6 interceptions in 2011. He earned a scholarship to play football at Arizona.

2. Austin Hiller, DB, 2014-16. In 3 seasons, set the program record with 9 career interceptions (tied with Roller), including 7 (tied with Parodi) in 2015. He finished his career with 315 tackles (7th all-time) and averaged 120 in seasons that led to championship game appearances in 2015 and 2016. His 216 career solo tackles are among the program’s best.

1. Mark Kuenstler, DE/LB, 1997-2000. Kuenstler is the only Cavalier player – offensive or defensive – to start as a freshman. While most everyone else on this list averaged 14 or 15 games in a season, Kuenstler appeared in 31 career games – a knee injury ended his senior season in the opener. Still, he’s far and away the most prolific tackler with 480 career stops, including 189 with 11 sacks in 1999. In addition to defensive end and linebacker, he also saw time (and scored touchdowns) as a running back and kick returner in his career. His coaches described him as a player who would have been the best player on the field no matter what position he played.