By Marco Cervantez
San Marcos — With the final week of football in the books, the freshmen Rattler teams of San Marcos took on the Matadors of Seguin on Thursday night at the Snake Pit.
It was a successful night for both San Marcos teams, as the White team won 24-12 and the Purple team stomping the Matadors 40-18.
The freshmen white team started off the night with a big comeback win.
The Matadors shut out the Rattlers on their first drive and scored on the following. But the Rattlers had an answer to their touchdown with an outside sweep to Javier Meyers tying up the score 6-6.
On the Matadors’ following drive, they consumed most of the second quarter and scored again. The Rattlers attempted to get the ball downfield during their next drive, but couldn’t.
Seguin led at the half, 12-6.
In the third quarter, Seguin received the ball. The Matadors moved the chains to about the 40-yard line before being stopped by the Rattlers defensive attack, forcing to punt. On the punt return Alvin Dougherty broke free and scored a 70-yard touchdown, sparking the Rattler team.
San Marcos’ defense showcased flawless defensive stops all through the second half. On Seguin’s next offensive drive Jacob Flores put the Matador offense back to 4th and 20 forcing the punt and another Rattler touchdown.
Robert Hernandez scored the final touchdown for the Rattlers of the season to give San Marcos at 24-12 win.
The Rattler purple team took the field shortly after with a boost of confidence after watching the white team rally for the win.
San Marcos took the field on the offensive side of the ball in the first quarter and immediately scored a touchdown. Cory Brown led the team downfield with two consecutive first downs and Collin Anderson punched through the Matador defense on his way to the end zone.
Seguin answered with a touchdown of its own.
On the Rattlers following drive, Collin Anderson scored again.
But the Matadors wouldn’t give up. They answered back with a 60 yard touchdown on the following kickoff. But on Seguin’s kickoff after their touchdown, Zach Miles scored an 80-yard touchdown for San Marcos on the return.
The Rattler defense was eager to play after two back-to-back touchdowns and began there well-coordinated defensive attack. Marcel Villegas and Alvaro Gutierrez came with two consecutive QB sacks forcing the Matadors to punt.
On the punt return Anderson returned the ball for a 35-yard touchdown.
With the second quarter coming to a close, Seguin had possession and were driving. The Matadors were stopped by Preston Galvez as he intercepted the ball and ran 55 yards but was stopped at the one-yard line to end the first half.
The Rattlers had full momentum in the second half and began to run up the score against the Matadors. Galvez pulled down another interception to set up another Rattler touchdown by Andres Alva.
Abraham Saldana also added six to the board with a 35-yard touchdown run up the middle.
"It’s been a fun class,” SMHS head coach James Hatlin said. “It’s been fun to watch them mature over the course of the season. It took a while to get our guys in the right position but I think know you can really see what this class is gonna be in the next couple of years.”
