SMHS GAME REWIND
Game rewind takes a look at some of the most historic, famous and most memorable games in the history of Rattler Athletics. This week will take a look at San Marcos’ historic win over Austin Westlake to claim the program’s first ever 5A district title and snap the Chaparrals streak of 14 consecutive district titles.
In the final game of the 2003 regular season, the Rattlers were one game away from winning their first ever district title in Class 5A.
Since making the jump to Class 5A in 1968, San Marcos historically had struggled competing in the highest classification, going on a 31-year playoff drought before making the postseason in 1997.
While the Rattlers enjoyed four years of success in Class 4A from 19982001, San Marcos was soon back up to 5A in 2002. However, the Rattlers continued their winning ways, qualifying for the playoffs in 2002 and finishing third in district behind Austin Westlake and Austin Bowie.
Going into 2003, San Marcos rolled once more and found themselves in the district title hunt after avenging last season’s loss to Austin Bowie.
But standing in the Rattlers way from their first ever Class 6A District title was Austin Westlake.
The Chaparrals dominated the 1990s and early 2000s winning 14 consecutive district titles along with winning the state championship in 1996 and maintaining a 71 district game winning streak during that time span.
It was truly a David vs. Goliath showdown.
The Rattlers struck first in the first quarter as running back Alvin Canady broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run to give San Marcos their first lead of the game at 7-0.
In the second quarter, Canady struck again, scoring a three-yard touchdown run and putting the Rattlers up 14-0 before halftime.
Westlake started their comeback in the second half, scoring in the third quarter on a one-yard touchdown run. Later in the fourth quarter, the Chaparrals scored again on an 18-yard touchdown pass, tying the game at 1414.
With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Westlake had the ball on the Rattler 20yard line but faced fourth down. Rather than kicking the game winning field goal to take the lead, the Chaparrals opted to go for it and extend the drive. Needing just one-yard, Westlake ran the ball only to be met by the Rattler defense who stuffed the running back on the line of scrimmage, turning the ball over on downs.
San Marcos was unable to score as the game was sent into overtime.
Receiving the ball first to start overtime, Westlake completed a 22-yard pass. However, on the same play, sophomore defensive back Kyle Smith stripped the ball away from the Westlake receiver, forcing the fumble. Smith later recovered the fumble, giving San Marcos the advantage.
Now with possession of the ball, the Rattlers moved the ball down the field before calling kicker Matt Field to boot a 32yard field goal.
Westlake opted to call a timeout in an attempt to ice Field. However it had the opposite effect.
“That’s really what I needed because we were hurrying a little bit,” Field said. “It gave me time to get focused on what I needed to do.”
Field booted the 32yard field goal through the uprights as San Marcos stunned Westlake 17-14 to end the Chaparrals district title reign and give the Rattlers their first 6A district title.
The Rattlers held Westlake to just 133 yards rushing and 103 passing yards while forcing two critical turnovers.
San Marcos finished the regular season with a 9-1 overall record and faced Schertz Clemens in the Bi-District round of the playoffs. The Buffaloes ended the Rattlers season with a 28-6 win.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
Rattler running back Alvin Canady rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns to help clinch the district title for San Marcos. Daily Record archives
