SMHS FOOTBALL
Rattlers go back on the road in showdown against Thunderbirds
The Countdown to Kickoff series takes a look at the upcoming 2025 season for San Marcos as the Rattlers look to make a return trip back to the playoffs in two years.
This week previews the Rattlers Week 3 showdown on the road against the San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a tough 3-6 season last year, playing in one of the toughest districts in 5A Division along with San Antonio Pieper, Smithson Valley, New Braunfels, Seguin, Boerne Champion, Victoria East and San Antonio MacArthur.
Wagner captured two district wins against MacArthur and Victoria East but was unable to overcome two one-possession losses to Seguin and Boerne Champion, which cost the Thunderbirds a postseason berth. The Thunderbirds averaged 26.5 points per game on offense while allowing 27.5 points per game on defense.
Wagner must replace several key starters, including five of their leading rushers and three of their top tacklers from last season.
Senior Xavier Luera will look to help rebuild the Thunderbird offense and their traditional Slot-T offense. Luera is the Thunderbirds returning lead rusher from last season, rushing for 123 yards on 27 carries and three touchdowns.
On defense, senior Demontae Drummer returns as the leading returning tackler last season, making 37 total tackles and 21 solo tackles with 3.0 tackles for loss. Also returning is senior Javeion Rector who made 27 total tackles and eight solo tackles last season.
This year’s showdown between San Marcos and Wagner will be the eighth all-time meeting between the two teams.
The first ever meeting between the Rattlers and the Thunderbirds took place during the 2010 season when both schools were placed in 5A District 25. Wagner went on to win 42-7 before beating the Rattlers again in the 2011 season 49-17.
Once again San Marcos and Wagner were placed in the same district during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, where the Thunderbirds continued their dominance. In their meeting in 2012, the Thunderbirds once again came away with the win 43-7.
The Rattlers finally defeated the Thunderbirds during the 2013 season, winning their first district game since 2007. Senior Christian Munoz kicked two field goals in the fourth quarter to seal a 33-22 victory over Wagner. The Rattlers also rushed for 328 yards on 51 carries with Jonoah Fabian leading the way with 20 carries for 121 yards and two touchdowns.
San Marcos and Wagner would not meet again until the 2022 season, playing as non-district opponents.
In a thrilling game where both teams combined for 875 yards of total offense, Wagner escaped with a 42-41 win over the Rattlers.
The Thunderbirds won the next meeting during the 2023 season, defeating San Marcos 62-17.
In their last meeting in the 2024 season, Wagner once again defeated San Marcos, beating the Rattlers 40-17.
Kickoff for San Marcos- Wagner is set for 7 p.m. Friday Sep. 12 at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
