SMHS FOOTBALL
The Countdown to Kickoff series takes a look at the upcoming season for San Marcos as the Rattlers prepare to hit the field and make a return trip to the playoffs.
This week previews the Rattlers’ first road game of the season when San Marcos travels up I-35 into Pflugerville for a showdown with the Weiss Wolves.
Weiss opened up the season at home against the Round Rock McNeil Mavericks where the Wolves won 56-28. After being tied at 21-21 at halftime, the Wolves outscored the Mavericks 357 en route to the seasonopening win despite being outgained by McNeil 423-393.
The Wolves passed for 225 yards and rushed for 168 yards.
Last season Weiss finished the regular season with a 8-2 overall record, placing third in 5A D1 District 12 behind A&M Consolidated and College Station.
Weiss qualified for the playoffs but fell in the first round to the Angleton Wildcats, who later made the state semifinals before losing to eventual state champion Smithson Valley.
Weiss will be under new leadership as former head coach Vernon Hughes left to take over Mesquite Horn. Prosper Offensive Coordinator Malcolm Hill was hired last summer to take over the Wolves program.
The Wolves return several key starters from last year’s team including their lead passer and rusher.
Sophomore quarterback Jaxon Schad led the offense through the air, passing for 2,689 yards and 32 touchdowns while rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Schad was named the District 12 newcomer of the year.
Looking to continue their dominance in the passing game is the wide receiver duo of senior Daniel Berry and junior Tre Moore. Berry caught 58 passes for 706 yards and eight touchdowns while Moore caught 38 passes for 562 yards and six touchdowns for the Wolves.
In the run game, senior running back Nick Johnson returns after leading the team in rushing with 138 carries for 1,049 yards and 13 touchdowns.
This will be the second meeting between San Marcos and Weiss after playing against each other for the first time last season.
In their first ever meeting, the Wolves defeated the Rattlers 54-0 in the home opener for San Marcos last season.
Weiss is the newest school established at Pflugerville ISD, starting their first year in 2017.
After going 0-10 in their first football season in 2018, the Wolves rebounded and captured their first ever playoff berth the next year after finishing the regular season 8-2, finishing second in district play behind Brenham.
Weiss later won their first ever playoff game against Lockhart, beating the Lions 24-14 before falling in the Area round to Sharyland Pioneer.
During the 2021 season, the Wolves captured their first ever district title and finished the regular season with a 9-1 record. Weiss defeated San Antonio Veterans Memorial 63-28 in the Bi-District round to clinch the program’s first ever 10-win season. Weiss later fell to Manvel in the Area round.
Kickoff for San Marcos-Weiss is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday Sept. 4 at PField in Pflugerville.
