Waco — The San Marcos Rattlers enjoyed a good start in their season opener at Waco High Friday night.

Unfortunately for the Snakes, that was about all they enjoyed as Waco rolled off a 35-6 win at Waco ISD's Stadium.

San Marcos scored on its first drive of the game to take a 6-0 lead, but the Lions rolled off five unanswered touchdowns to grab the win. A fumble

returned for a 45-yard touchdown gave Waco the lead late in the first quarter and all the momentum the Lions needed to keep SMHS at bay.

San Marcos controlled the ball and time of possession in the first half, but Waco High was able to hold a 7-6 lead at the half thanks that one

misfortunate play The Rattlers struck first, scoring on their first drive when a junior running back Michael Wilburn broke free on on a 33-yard run off the right side with blockers Blake Bagley and Jacob Rdriguez leading the way.

Wilburn was able to outrun three defenders untouched to the endzone.

SMHS missed the extra point but enjoyed a 7-6 lead with six minutes, 54 seconds left in the first quarter. A key play in the drive was quarterback Aaron Canady's 22-yard keeper, one play before Wilburn's run.

But Canady didn't come out in the Rattlers' second series, as SMHS head coach Steve Van Nest had talked before the game about Canady sharing time with junior Ryan Schweers. The decision cost the Rattlers, however, as Schweers fumbled on the sixth play of the drive, .leading to a 45-yard touchdown recovery for Waco's Lamarquet Jones with 2:43 left in the first quarter. Schweers seemed to stumble after the snap and was hit hard, allowing the ball to fly out of his hands an into the hands of Jones, who sprinted untouched into the endzone. Ernest Guevara kicked the extra point to give Waco a 7-6 lead.

Big plaus spurred the Lions in the second hald, as Waco scored on its first play from scrimmage in the second half when Toylon Clark broke free

for a 60-yard run to give WHS a 14-6 lead.

Charles Silmon came through with another big run moments later, this one for a 64-yard score that gave Waco a 21-6 lead.

Waco ended any hopes of a SMHS comeback when Keyshun Russell broke through the middle for a 44-yard score, as Lion quarterback Kollin Kahler completed a 19-yard pass to Denzel Mirtchell for the final score of the game.

San Marcos is back in action Friday night at home against Bastrop, a 34-27 winner over Hays.



Other scores: Wimberley shut out Luling 40-0 in Luling



San Marcos 6 0 0 0 -- 6

Waco 7 0 14 14 -- 35



First Quarter

SM -- Michael Wilburn 33 run, kick failed (6:54)

W -- Lamarquet Jones 45 fumble return, Ernesto Guevara kick (2:43)

Third Quarter

W -- Toylon Clark 60 run, Guevara kick (11:40)

W -- Charles Silmon 64 run, Guevara kick (7:00)

Fourth Quarter

W -- Keyshun Russell 44 run, Guevara kick (10:23)

W -- Denzell Mitchell 19 pass from Kollin Kahler (10:14)



Team Statistics

SM WACO

First Downs 15 9

Rushes-yds 50-234 18-163

Passing yards 13 21

Passing 1-7-0 2-6-1

Penalties 6-54 1-5

Fumbles 2-2 2-0

Punts-avg 4-33.5 4-44.3



Individual Statistics

RUSHING -- SM: Michael Wilburn 14-93, Joekkava Yzaguirre 16-85, Tyler

Walker 11-31, Aaron Canad 4-26, Thomas Velasquez 1-9, Terrance Wilburn

1-9, Isaiah Banks 1-2, Ryan Schweers 2-(-1). W: Charles Silmon 6-80,

Toylon Clark 6-77, Keyshun Russell 4-12, Dwight Batts 1-0, Larry J0ordan

2-(-2), Kollin Kahler 2-(-4).

PASSING -- SM: Schweers 1-5-0 13, Canady 0-2-0. W: Kahler 2-6-1 21.

RECEIVING -- SM: Blake Bagley 1-13. W: Denzell Mitchell 1-18, Bronshae

Dugas 1-2.