Rattlers conclude season practice with Spring Game

Spring practice concluded for San Marcos, ending with the annual Purple and White Spring Game with Team Purple defeating Team White, 35-7.

But despite playing on different sides of the ball, wide receiver Tony Diaz, who played on Team White, said he believes the Rattlers have a chance to make some noise come Fall.

“We have a young team,” Diaz said. “But we have the pieces to be a really good team for the upcoming Fall season.”

Head Coach John Walsh said he was happy with the results of the spring practice, as both sides were able to showcase their talent in front of the San Marcos home crowd.

“We had a really good spring practice,” Walsh said. “These two teams have been broken up all spring and it’s been really competitive. Tonight was an example of how a football game can go.”

It was a good spring practice for the Rattlers as the players were able to improve from day one up until the Spring Game.

“I’m really proud of how they brought the energy all spring,” Walsh said. “They had all month long. So there was definite improvement.”

One of the signs of improvement for the Rattlers during the spring was the ability to execute plays despite having a young team.

“Most of it came through execution,” Walsh said. “We are pretty young and our senior class did a great job of being leaders. Most of the leadership came from up front, while leaders like Tony Diaz grew some of the guys up exponentially.”

One of the major questions coming into the spring practice was the quarterback position for the Rattlers.

Kutter Gage Webb, Buck Steyn, and Braydon Heyward, all rotated positions from the Purple and White teams, all showcasing their talent.

Webb led the QBs in scoring, throwing three touchdown passes while Heyward scored on a 64yard run.

With the quarterback room showcasing their talents, Walsh said he was pleased with all their efforts.

“It’s been Buck Steyn and Braydon Heyward, all spring,” Walsh said. “Buck was dealing with a sore arm so there was no use in throwing him in tonight. No one got to see what he is capable of, but he has a really good arm. Kutter Gage was just playing shortstop just six days ago, but he showed you how much of a natural he is. He is a great leader and a really good quarterback. Braydon showed off legs with that long touchdown run. It was just some unfortunate things happening to him at the start of the scrimmage but we have a talented quarterback room.

But no matter who starts at quarterback, the starter will have backed by a strong offensive line headed by senior Ory Williams.

Despite the starters being split between the Purple and the White teams, Walsh is optimistic about their success.

“Offensive line was hard to tell because everyone was split up,” Walsh said. “We had two starters on one team and three on the other. But that is going to be one of our strengths is the offensive line. We have size and what I was really proud of, was our number twos who played behind the ones who were getting better.”

Williams, who represented the Purple Team, is one of the reasons the offensive line has strength and a tight bond.

“We have always been boys,” Williams said. “Being one of the older players on the team, we have been taking care of the younger players. We have really bonded and we are coming together as a unit.”

In terms of the running back and wide receiver strength, it was a successful night as everyone had a chance to showcase their talents.

“I thought Stetson Stennett ran the ball really hard tonight,” Walsh said. “Izayah Young was a little banged up, but we haven’t been able to stop him all spring. Then Tony [Diaz] will need to be double -covered along with Corbyn Sebesta and Hank Harris who are going to be threats.”

On the opposite side of the ball, the Rattler defense was able to showcase their prowess by stopping the offenses on third down, as well as returning two interceptions for touchdowns.

“They have been playing really well,” Walsh said. “What I’ve been really impressed with is that they are putting different schemes on and are still being consistent on being accountable for their different gaps.”

San Marcos will return to the gridiron on the first Monday of August for the start of two-day practice.

coltonbmcwilliams@sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc