'It's no fun when you lose:' Lake Travis falls in wild shootout to Cornerstone Christian
· Yahoo Sports
SAN MARCOS - It's been roughly five years since Lake Travis gave up as many points as it did Thursday in the regular season to a team not named Westlake.
And while that could be a bit unfair to the current version of the Cavs, who lost 48-35 at Rattler Stadium to San Antonio Cornerstone Christian, an unaffiliated private school that plays seven out-of-state opponents, including IMG Academy in Florida, it speaks to what Lake Travis coach Hank Carter called "not executing in all three phases."
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Lake Travis wide receiver Westin Smith (1) advances the ball as Lake Travis football takes on San Antonio Cornerstone Christian at San Marcos High School in San Marcos on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026. (Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman)Lake Travis (1-1-1) allowed more than 200 yards rushing - including 182 yards and four touchdowns by Jaylen McKane - turned the ball over on downs five times, threw two interceptions and had another turnover when it didn't field a kickoff.
"I thought they were more physical and played when it counted," said Carter, whose team last gave up this many points in nondistrict play on Sept. 10, 2021 in a 59-35 loss at Rockwall. "We had a few mishaps on the fourth downs … and just didn't play sharp enough. And defensively, we struggled to get off the field."
Carter noted the situation and flow of the game dictated why he went for it so many times on fourth down, quipping, "It's like blackjack, sometimes you have to double down … but it didn't work."
Sophomore running back Henry Hopping - the brother of the team's feature running back the last two years, Vann Hopping - was a bright spot for the Cavs. He scored three rushing touchdowns and led the team on the ground with 67 yards. But though Lake Travis had two interceptions on defense and produced a touchdown off a double pass when Westin Smith threw a 42-yard strike to a wide-open Luca Antoun, the Cavs were subpar on too many plays.
The Warriors' defensive line, led by edge Ahzan Bacote, an Arizona commit who had two sacks, constantly pressured Lake Travis quarterback Jason Carter, and their offensive line opened up large holes for McKane.
"We didn't do a good enough job preparing our kids, and that's on me and our coaches," said Hank Carter, whose team opens District 25-6A play Thursday against McNeil. "It's no fun when you lose. But I'm OK if we're going to learn lessons. They're going to pay off down the road, and I'd rather have them in the (nondistrict). That's why we play good opponents, and those guys were good."
Sign up for the Daily Briefing from the Austin American-Statesman. Start your day with the must-read headlines from Austin's most trusted news source.This article originally published at 'It's no fun when you lose:' Lake Travis falls in wild shootout to Cornerstone Christian.