Lake Travis will sit out its scheduled 2026 season opener against Dripping Springs as the Cavaliers continue to grieve the death of football player Odin Hensley. The two schools announced the change for the Aug. 28 game, which was set for Dripping Springs.
Hensley, a Lake Travis football player and two-time state wrestling qualifier, died Aug. 12, two days after a medical emergency during football practice, according to the school district and previous High School On SI reporting. He had turned 17 just 12 days earlier. His celebration of life was held Aug. 22 in Austin, according to his obituary.
Lake Travis coach Hank Carter said in an Aug. 19 post on X that the program was cancelling the game.
“The past two weeks have been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. After careful consideration and with the physical and mental safety of our players and staff as our top priority, we have made the decision to cancel our football game against Dripping Springs next week.”
Dripping Springs responded with its own message of support.
“In times like these, the game itself takes a backseat to our sympathy, respect and grief,” the Dripping Springs Football X account posted. “We stand in support of our neighbors in Lake Travis, their entire football program and the athlete’s family and friends during this unimaginable loss.”
The Tigers’ account later said on Aug. 23 that the sub-varsity teams - JV and freshmen - would still play this week, though it added that an update may come later. week.
The cancellation removes a matchup between two of Texas’ stronger programs. Dripping Springs went 12-2 last season and reached a regional final, while Lake Travis finished 14-1 and made it to the Class 6A Division I semifinals before losing to eventual champion Galena Park North Shore. Lake Travis also handed Dripping Springs one of its two losses in 2025, winning 14-7 last October.
Dripping Springs will now open its 2026 season on Sept. 4 by hosting San Antonio John M. Harlan at 7:30 p.m. Lake Travis is scheduled to begin the season the same night at Pflugerville Weiss at 7 p.m.
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