SMHS FOOTBALL
Rattlers continue to improve on offense and defense, prepare for Purple & White Spring Game
The Rattlers wrapped up their third week of spring practice and are now looking ahead for the annual Purple & White Spring Game this Thursday.
Head Coach John Walsh has continued to be proud with not only how physical the team has been during spring practice but with how mature and disciplined the Rattlers have been.
“When we started out, I was really impressed with our maturity and how we were practicing,” Walsh said. “You can tell we’re senior heavy. We know we’re gonna be a physical football team, and the strength numbers are up; so we tried to limit some of the contact, stay healthy and not take people to the ground. We had a few teaching moments, but the first week and a half we were getting a lot of work done.”
One of the strengths of the Rattlers during this year’s spring practice has been the rushing attack.
Behind an offensive line that averages 290 pounds and bevy of running backs, the Rattlers will look to use the run game to their advantage.
With a combination of the two, Walsh is excited about what San Marcos can do on the ground.
“That offensive line we have averaged over 290 pounds, and all those guys are really strong,” Walsh said. “We have multiple talented guys behind them in Justin Tardy, Donovan Garcia, Cameron Bundage, Colson Geesee I’zayah Young and Elliot Gray who all could be lead backs, and we have six of them. A couple of those guys are gonna play on defense too, so they can rest. Between the talent at the running back [position] and the beef upfront, we will be able to run that football very well.”
Walsh has also been proud of both units for their ability to be coached and running the Rattlers’ base offensive playbook.
“They’ve been coachable,” Walsh said. “We haven’t tried to be tricky, so we’re just putting our base run offense on; and it’s just gotten cleaner and cleaner. So I’m feeling pretty good about it.”
While the rushing attack looks to come together, the Rattlers have also been improving through the air.
With Buck Steyn at quarterback along with the receiving duo of Hank Harris and Jordin Lampkin, the Rattlers will look to add another element to the offense that was missing from last season.
While the Rattlers will remain focused on the rushing attack, the passing game will look to take a step forward.
“We have a Division I quarterback, and we have Division I receivers out there with Hank Harris and Jordin Lampkin,” Walsh said. “When you can run the football well, you get one on one matchups. So when you get one on one matchups with those guys I just mentioned, you are going to win most of the time.
“To win a state championship, you have to run the ball well, and you have to stop the run. Make no mistake, we’re going to be able to throw that ball around and get it out to our playmakers.”
As the offense takes shape, the Rattler defense continues to improve, especially on the defensive lineman.
Headed up by I’zayah Young, Trey Walker and Darius Davis, the defensive line has emerged as a strong unit for the Rattlers this offseason.
“I’ve had to pull some of them off just because if I leave them out there, we don’t get plays off,” Walsh said. “We’re not blocking I’zayah Young, Trey Walker and Darius Davis very well, and we have a good offensive line. I like what we see, and it’s just been competitive. There’s just good talent out there working their tail off.”
For Walsh, though they might not be the biggest on the line, the trio’s speed and physicality makes them extremely dangerous to opposing offenses.
“They’re explosive and athletic,” Walsh said. “They’re not huge bodies, but they are one step faster. They don’t have to take time once that ball is snapped.”
The conversation about the Rattlers upcoming season has generated a lot of buzz both locally and non-local with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine calling San Marcos “Texas High School Football’s Most Intriguing Team in 2025.”
As the Rattlers take the field on Thursday for the spring game, Walsh hopes the community can see what the team has to offer.
“There’s been a lot of talk about the 2025 season,” Walsh said. “I want them to see what’s coming in the fall and for them to know we got a whole summer to get better.”
The Purple & White Spring Game is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
