Lake Travis Cancels Football Opener as It Continues to Mourn Odin Hensley

Lake Travis will not play its scheduled 2026 high school football season opener against Dripping Springs as the Cavaliers continue to mourn the death of football player Odin Hensley. Both schools announced the change for the Aug. 28 game that was set to be played in Dripping Springs.

Hensley, a Lake Travis football player and two-time state wrestling qualifier, died Aug. 12, two days after suffering a medical emergency during football practice, according to the school district and previous High School On SI reporting.

Hensley was part of a team that went 14-1 last year and reached the Class 6A Division I semifinals before falling to eventual champion Galena Park North Shore.

Hensley had turned 17 just 12 days before his death. A celebration of life was held on Aug. 22 in Austin, according to his obituary.

Lake Travis Coach Explains Decision to Cancel

Lake Travis coach Hank Carter announced on Aug. 19 that the game against Dripping Springs would be cancelled in a social media post on X.

Carter wrote, “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.”

Letter from Coach Carter pic.twitter.com/uNmgqFLG7d
— Lake Travis Football (@LTHSCavFootball) August 19, 2026

Dripping Springs’ football team account also posted about the cancellation.

“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’ page confirmed on Aug. 23 that the sub-varsity teams — JV and freshmen — would still be playing this week, but stated an update may come later. week.

The canceled game would have matched two of Texas' stronger programs. Dripping Springs went 12-2 last season and reached a regional final, while Lake Travis finished 14-1 and advanced to the Class 6A Division I semifinals. Lake Travis handed Dripping Springs one of two losses in 2025, winning 14-7 last October.

On paper, the Week 1 showdown could have been a good one. Dripping Springs went 12-2 last year and was a regional finalist. One of the two losses was a 14-7 loss to Austin Lake Travis on Oct. 16.

Looking ahead

Dripping Springs will now begin its the 2026 season on Sept. 4, hosting San Antonio John M. Harlan at 7:30 p.m. Meanwhile, Austin Lake Travis is scheduled to play at Pflugerville Weiss at 7 p.m. on Sept. 4 for its opener.

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