Published: November 06, 2009 10:44 am      

High School Football: It’s make or break for the SMA Bears

San Marcos — The San Marcos Academy Bears have opened eyes this season with their 5-4 record.

But it’s all for naught if the Bears don’t pull off a win tonight against Hyde Park. A victory will place SMA in the TAPPS state playoffs. A loss will end their season.

SMA is searching for its first ever playoff appearance at the Class 4A level, with the team’s last playoff appearance coming two seasons ago as a Class 3A team. That SMA quad fell in the first round to Bay Area Christian.

The Bears have had their chances to fulfill those postseaosn hopes, but fumbles and penalties at critical times have hindered SMA.

Hyde Park enters the a 4-5 record with district wins over Giddings State and San Antonio Christian. The Bears’ lone district win was at home versus Giddings State 42-14.

The Panthers have scored 224 points on the season compared to 278 for the Bears and defensively the Bears also have the upper hand allowing 183 points to 252 for the Panthers.

The Bears have tinkered with the quarterback position over the last few weeks by using senior Anthony Richardson, senior Collin Cook and sophomore Aubrey Oswalt.

It will be a game-time decision by SMA Head Coach Brian Gaylor to decide which player gets the bulk of the snaps.

Offensively the Bears are led by Richardson with 799 yards rushing, followed by Mark Hamm with 481 yards.

Defensively, the team is led by Cameron Whitehead with 91 tackles and Yaz Gaylor and Mark Hamm with 77 each. The sack leaders for the Bears are Michael Young and Cody Watson with 58 and 55, respectively.

Trey Banks is averaging 36.0 yards per punt in 17 attempts this season.

Hyde Park throws the ball very well (QB Tom Rhea 2,113 yards and 17 TD) but the Panthers balance it with the running of Aaron Fannie (152 rushes for 675 yards). Andre Timmes leads them in receiving with 26 catches for 687 yards and is a big play threat.

“The playoffs begin this week for us. It comes down to win or stay home for us,” SMA head coach Brian Gaylor said. “We need to control the ball and limit their chances.”