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Yahir Cancino
The Dalhart ISD and community are mourning the death of a football player who passed away after sustaining a serious head injury during a game this past Thursday.
Dalhart sophomore and junior varsity player, Yahir Cancino, was seriously injured in the fourth quarter of a game between the Dalhart Golden Wolves and the Sundown Roughnecks, according to the Dalhart ISD. The game was played at the Dimmitt ISD Bobcats Stadium He was airlifted to Lubbock UMC Children’s Hospital and placed in the pediatric intensive care unit after losing consciousness during the game and medical staff could not revive him.
“(Yahir’s death) is an unbelievable tragedy that has touched our entire community.,” Dalhart ISD Superintendent Jeff Byrd said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Yahir’s family. The Dalhart community will continue to surround and support them.”
The Sundown Roughnecks football players went to Lubbock and joined the family at the hospital to offer their support to the family.
Sadly, Cancino’s family announced on social media early Saturday morning that the young player had passed away.
Dalhart ISD Superintendent Jeff Byrd in a statement on Saturday, said, “Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Yahir’s family. The Dalhart Community will continue to surround and support them. Dalhart ISD has been in contact with Region 16, and they will have their Crisis Team here to support our students and staff Tuesday morning.
“The Dalhart Ministerial Alliance will also be available for our students and staff members, and The Texas Panhandle Centers of Amarillo will have counselors available Tuesday and they will be available anytime that our staff members or students need them in the future.
“Dalhart ISD would also like to thank the Sundown ISD administration, coaching staff, and football program for the love and support they have provided for our entire community.
“We would also like to thank the Region 16 Service Center and every superintendent and school district in Region 16 for the love and support they have provided for our Dalhart ISD Family.”
The Dalhart High School Student Council held a candlelight vigil on Sunday evening joined by the community.
Cancino’s mother, Araceli Hernandez, in a Facebook post, said, “We ask for prayers for peace and healing
not only for us but for all the people Yahir touched in his life. We have chosen to donate his organs because Yahir was always about helping people and we want to honor his memory.”
Dalhart is a Class 3A Division 1 school in the Texas Panhandle. Schools across the region reached out, offering condolences and support to the Dalhart school and the player’s family.