SMHS FOOTBALL
The Rattlers returned back to the gridiron this week for the first time since last season as San Marcos looks to have a bounce back year and make a return trip back into the playoffs.
Going into the first week of spring practice, Head Coach John Walsh’s main focus is making sure the players come out uninjured while maintaining their physicality.
“Everybody says this as a coaching cliché, and I don’t like to be [talking] coach speak. But we’re going to come out of this thing healthy,” Walsh said. “We’re physical off the ball, but we’re not taking anybody to the ground. The team has been really mature in following that lead.”
While trying to keep the team healthy, the Rattlers are also using a back to basics approach with the playbook, focusing on fundamentals.
“We know we’re talented and can make plays,” Walsh said. “We’re just trying to keep it real basic, so they understand that even though the end result might not look pretty, we have to do ABC for repetitions, basically the fundamentals.”
The Rattler offense will look to improve after averaging just 7.5 points per game last season.
For Walsh, San Marcos will look to lean on their rushing game using the trench game and the 1-2 punch of senior running backs Justin Tardy and Donovan Garcia.
“The strength is going to be that offensive line,” Walsh said. “We average 293 on our last test on how much they weigh and their weight numbers are good. That offensive line is what we are going to lean on. We’re gonna run that football really well with [Justin] Tardy and Donovan Garcia. That’s not even bringing up Buck [Steyn] the receivers yet. To me, that’s a fun time, but to win these ball games, we’re going to run that football.”
While the Rattlers worked out of the Slot-T offense last season, San Marcos will focus on using multiple formations this season in order to optimize their strengths.
“Schematic wise, we’re gonna go back to what I know,” Walsh said. “We’re going to have a lot of formations and a lot of movement. We’re going to be strong in the middle, but we’re going to have a lot of fun outside and swinging the ball.”
Also looking to improve is the Rattler defense who gave up an average of 52.3 points per game to opposing offenses.
Similar to the offensive line, the Rattler defensive line will look to be a strength for San Marcos.
“We’re going to be really good on the edge with pass rushing,” Walsh said. “With Izayah Young, Trey Walker and Lazurus [Urion], they really come off the ball, and they’re going to put pressure on the run, both on the run offense and pass offense.”
As San Marcos enters the second week of spring practice, Walsh will look to remain focused on continuing to improve on the fundamentals while keeping the team healthy.
“Next week we’re going to kind of circle back,” Walsh said. “The defense is running two fronts, so they’re gonna run their second front next week, which will keep us in our base plays. We just want good football right now, stay healthy.”
San Marcos spring practice will conclude with the annual Purple and White spring game Thursday May 15.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
