Lake Travis Dominates Austin Westlake
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Updated: October 25, 2025
photos: Steve Thomas
Lake Travis Dominates Austin Westlake
Cavaliers Spoil Chaparrals’ Homecoming and Drew Brees’ Jersey Retirement
Even though no rain fell Friday night during the game, the Lake Travis Cavaliers certainly rained on the Austin Westlake Chaparrals’ Homecoming. The Cavaliers dominated both sides of the ball for a 31-10 win over their arch rivals. The win snaps a six-game losing streak for the Cavaliers against Westlake and puts Lake Travis in prime position to win the District 26-6A title.
Prior to the game, the Chaparrals welcomed back former Westlake quarterback and NFL star Drew Brees to retire his jersey. Brees played for the Chaps from 1993-1996. In his senior season, Brees led Westlake to a 16-0 record and 5A-D2 state championship. The state championship was just the beginning of Brees’ stellar career. In 20 seasons in the NFL, Brees made nine Pro Bowl appearances and led the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory in 2010. For his performance, Brees was named Super Bowl MVP.
Amidst all of the fanfare, the Cavaliers were unfazed. Running back Van Hopping rushed for 151 yards and scored two first-half touchdowns. Receiver Westin Smith amassed 136 yards and caught two second-half touchdown passes for the Cavaliers. The defense, meanwhile, got constant pressure on Westlake quarterback Rees Wise accruing nine sacks.
For Westlake, missed opportunities were the story. Defensive back Thompson Bennett ended Lake Travis’s second drive of the first half with an interception, but Chaps were forced to punt. The Chaps forced a fumble to end a positive Lake Travis drive in the second quarter, but the ensuing drive again ended with a punt. Shortly before halftime, Wise connected with receiver Braden Riddell for a 13-yard touchdown and cut the Lake Travis lead to 13-7.
In the second half, Lake Travis’s dominance continued. The defense continued to get pressure on Wise, and quarterback Luke McBride extended Lake Travis’s lead with a 48-yard touchdown pass to Smith. After the touchdown, Westlake put together a promising drive into Lake Travis territory; but the Cavaliers forced the Chaps to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Nolan Bartley. At the end of the third quarter, McBride delivered the knockout blow with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Westin Smith. The Cavaliers also tacked on a field goal in the fourth quarter.
With the win, Lake Travis improves to 8-0 overall and 4-0 in district. Next week, the Cavaliers will return to their temporary home at Dripping Springs to host Austin Akins (4-4, 0-4.)
Westlake, meanwhile, falls to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in district. Next week, the Chaparrals will travel to face Del Valle (1-7, 0-4.)
by Steve Thomas
Players Pictured
Lake Travis
#0 Braeden Lott
#1 Carter Buck
#5 Van Hopping
#8 Benjamin Soules
#10 Westin Smith
#14 Luke McBride
#74 Strider Stone
Westlake
#4 Miller Bragg
#9 Rees Wise
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