SMHS FOOTBALL
The Rattlers will look to bounce back this week following their Thursday night loss to Pflugerville Weiss as San Marcos makes their second road trip of the season to face off with the San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds.
Wagner comes into the Week 3 showdown with a 1-1 overall record. The Thunderbirds defeated the New Braunfels Long Creek Dragons 49-19 for their first win of the season before dropping their Week 2 game against the Dripping Springs Tigers 55-0.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a tough 3-6 season last year, playing in one of the toughest districts in 5A Division I 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.
Junior J’anthony Price leads the Thunderbirds in rushing in their patented Slot-T offense. Price has rushed for 174 yards in two games on 25 carries, scoring four touchdowns, all team highs.
Second in rushing for Wagner is junior Jozyne Scott with nine carries for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading the offense is sophomore quarterback Javontae Hughes. Hughes has passed for 69 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 38 yards.
Sophomore linebacker Jeremiah Cruz currently leads the Thunderbird defense, leading the team in total tackles with 12 along with seven solo tackles. Senior Jaymeon O’Brien, senior Vaunray Ramsey and junior Im- manuel James are all tied for second in total tackles with 10 apiece with James leading the team in tackles for loss with 4.5.
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 Sept. 12 at D.W. Rutledge Stadium in Converse.
The Rattlers are looking for their first win over Wagner since 2013. Daily Record photo by Gerald Castillo
