SMHS FOOTBALL
San Marcos will look to end their non-district schedule on a high note as the Rattlers host the No. 7 ranked Lake Travis Cavaliers.
The Cavaliers enter the game with a 3-0 overall record with wins over Arlington Martin, Rockwall and Midland Legacy. Lake Travis averages 45 points per game on offense while the defense allows an average of 18 points per game.
In comparison, the Rattlers average 35.6 points per game while the defense allows an average of 20.6 points per game.
Lake Travis is coming off a 9-1 regular season where the Cavaliers finished in second place in District 26 behind Austin Westlake who gave them their only regular season loss. In the Cavaliers’ showdown against San Marcos, Lake Travis defeated the Rattlers 62-13.
Lake Travis defeated both Round Rock and San Antonio Johnson to advance into regional semifinals. The Cavaliers defeated San Antonio East Central 52-7, advancing to the regional final where they met rival Westlake once again. Lake Travis fell to the Chaparrals 24-17.
The Cavaliers are led by senior running back Vann Hopping who leads the team in rushing and total touchdowns. Hopping has rushed for 431 yards on 49 carries and eight touchdowns. Against Midland Legacy, Hopping rushed for 171 yards on 13 carries, scoring four touchdowns.
Helming the offense is senior quarterback Luke McBride. McBride has passed for 750 yards and six touchdowns for Lake Travis. Against Midland Legacy, McBride passed for 173 yards and two touchdowns.
McBride’s main targets have been senior Lark Sidle and Westin Smith. Sidle has caught nine passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns while Smith has caught 14 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, senior line- backer Braeden Lott leads the team in total tackles with 28, including 11 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Senior Carter Buck leads the team in solo tackles with 17 along with 22 total tackles and seven tackles for loss.
The history of the San Marcos-Lake Travis series dates back to 2000 when the Rattlers and the Cavaliers were paired in the same district.
The first meeting during the 2000 season between San Marcos and Lake Travis was a historic one for the Rattlers. After defeating Lake Travis 47-0, the Rattlers won their first district championship since 1966 before completing a perfect season.
The second meeting between the two teams ended with another win for the Rattlers who defeated the Cavaliers 45-7.
Both San Marcos and Lake Travis would not meet again on the football field until the 2020 season as both schools were once again put in the same district.
Between 2001 and 2020, Lake Travis established themselves as one of the biggest football powerhouses in the state, winning six state championships in that time span.
The Cavaliers defeated the Rattlers for the first time in 2020, winning 583. Lake Travis again defeated San Marcos during the 2021 season, winning 45-6.
Lake Travis leads the overall series 3-2.
Kickoff for San Marcos-Lake Travis is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 19 at Toyota Rattler Stadium.
San Marcos defeated Lake Travis 47-0 in the first ever meeting between the two teams during the 2000 season. The win helped clinched the district title for the Rattlers for the first time since 1966. Daily Record archives
