The push for the playoffs has begun in District 29 as district play starts this week for all seven teams. The San Marcos Rattlers enter district averaging 28.2 points per game while allowing 26.5 points per game.
Here is how the rest of San Marcos’ district bunkmates stack up during nondistrict play.
Cibolo Steele [3-1]
The defending five-time district champions Steele emerged from non-district play with the best record, taking down Liberty Hill [2-2], San Antonio Reagan [0-3] and San Antonio Brandeis [2-1]. The Knights lone loss of the season came against Austin Westlake [3-1] where Steele fell 37-14.
The Knights have been led by senior running back Jonathan Hatton who is currently committed to play at Texas A&M. Hatton leads the team in rushing with 559 yards on 73 carries and eight touchdowns. Steele offensively has averaged 32.2 points per game, the second highest in the district.
On defense, senior Jared Ibarra leads the team in total tackles with 51 along with 16 solo tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss. The Knights defense has given up an average of 20.5 points per game, the best in the district.
Steele opens up district play against crosstown rival Schertz Clemens this Friday.
New Braunfels Canyon
[2-2] The Cougars are looking to make a return trip to the playoffs in just their second season in Class 6A this year, coming into district with the second best nondistrict record along with Schertz Clemens and San Marcos.
Canyon has wins over Austin High [0-4] and Eagle Pass [2-1] and losses to New Braunfels [4-0] and Alamo Heights [4-0].
The Cougars enter district play with the highest scoring offense in District 29, averaging 32.7 points per game, led by senior running back Jackson Regan and sophomore quarterback Knox Ford.
The Canyon defense has allowed an average of 29.2 points per game, ranked fourth in the district overall.
Canyon opens district play next Friday against Buda Johnson.
Schertz Clemens [2-2]
The Buffaloes are looking to snap a five-year postseason drought, entering district play with the second best non-district record at 2-2 with New Braunfels Canyon and San Marcos.
Clemens has notched wins over both Austin Del Valle [1-3] and San Antonio Churchill [1-2] along with losses to San Antonio Taft [3-1] and Alamo Heights [4-0].
The Buffaloes go into district with the third highest scoring offense, averaging 30.7 points per game.
On defense, Clemens allows an average of 21.7 points per game, the second lowest in the district behind Steele.
The Buffaloes open district play Friday against crosstown rival Cibolo Steele.
Buda Johnson [1-3]
Coming off an historic season, Buda Johnson is looking for an encore going into district play.
The Jaguars enter district with a 1-3 overall record, tied with Converse Judson and San Antonio East Central for fifth place, with Johnson’s lone win coming against Austin High [0-4]. Johnson’s losses have come against Round Rock Cedar Ridge [2-2], Round Rock Stony Point [2-2] and Dripping Springs [4-0].
The Jaguar offense is led by senior quarterback Jace Tello, who leads the team in both passing and rushing. Johnson averages 19.7 points per game, ranked sixth overall in district.
On defense, senior linebacker Bre Giello leads the team in both total tackles [52] and solo tackles [27] along with 4.0 tackles for loss. The Jaguars hold opposing offenses to an average of 29.5 points per game.
Buda Johnson opens district play on the road against Hays County rival San Marcos.
Converse Judson [1-3] The Rockets are looking to rebound after a tough non-district slate in the hopes of having their first winning season since 2020.
Judson’s lone non-district win of the season came against San Antonio Roosevelt [0-3] while suffering losses to San Antonio Johnson [3-0], Hutto [3-1] and Austin Bowie [3-1].
On offense, the Rockets are led by junior running back Kayden Graham, who has rushed for 333 yards on 48 carries and one touchdown. The Rockets average 15.5 points per game, ranked seventh in the district.
Senior Marcel Smith leads the defense with 40 total tackles and 21 solo tackles. Judson allows an average of 30.7 points per game, the second highest in the district.
The Rockets open district play Friday at home against San Antonio East Central.
San Antonio East Central
[1-3] Coming off their deepest playoff run since 1985, the Hornets are once again looking to reload and continue their success from last season.
East Central finished non-district with a 1-3 overall record with their lone win coming against San Antonio Roosevelt [03]. The Hornets three defeats came against San Antonio Harlan [3-0], San Antonio Clark [3-0] and Boerne [3-1].
East Central offensively is led by senior quarterback Jay Crosby, who has passed for 588 yards and eight touchdowns. The Hornets offense has averaged 29.7 points per game, the thirdhighest in district play.
On defense, East Central is led by senior Braylon Blair, who leads the team in total tackles with 30 along with 14 solo tackles. The Hornets defense allows an average of 34.0 points per game, the highest in the district.
East Central opens district play on the road against Converse Judson.
