OP/ED
It’s a big week in San Marcos as both the Bobcats and the Rattlers continue the hunt for the postseason in the thick of their respective title races.
The Rattlers are coming off a massive district win over long-time rival for Schertz Clemens. For the Rattlers, the win not only marks the first 2-0 start in district play since 2017 but the first win over Clemens in Schertz since 1981.
A big part in the Rattlers success this season has been the defensive play. The Rattlers are holding opponents to an average of 20.5 points per game. Against both Clemens and Buda Johnson in district play, the Rattlers run defense has held their opponents to under 10 total rushing yards, including holding the Jaguars to -28 yards.
Offensively the Rattlers have churned up over 400 yards of offense in both district wins.
The Rattlers are on a roll with upcoming games against East Central at home and Judson on the road which will determine San Marcos’ postseason destiny. Two wins put the Rattlers on course for a district title showdown with Cibolo Steele while two losses will put San Marcos behind the eight-ball for the playoffs.
Texas State returns home following a disappointing loss to Arkansas State. It was an unusual game for both teams who were tied 10-10 going into the fourth quarter before combining for 41 points in the final period.
The game was highlighted by the Bobcats decision to score the goahead touchdown with one minute remaining in the game before missing the extra point kick. Arkansas State capitalized, driving 75 yards down the field, scoring both the game tying touchdown and game winning extra-point kick to seal a 31-30 win.
Needless to say, it was a rough week for the Bobcats, who entered conference play as the favorite in the West Division and a dark horse for the conference championship. But the loss to Arkansas State has shaken up the division title race with the West now up for grabs, setting up a division championship elimination match between Texas State and Troy.
The loss to Arkansas State may turn out to be insignificant with the West Division turning more into the Thunderdome, but a loss to Troy will put a significant damper in the Bobcats’ hopes of leaving the Sun Belt with some hardware.
A LOOK AROUND HAYS COUNTY In the race for the mythical Hays County Championship, the Dripping Springs Tigers appear to be the early front-runners.
The No. 11 ranked Tigers are off to a 6-0 start including a dominating 41-14 win over the 6A Divison II State Champions in the Austin Vandergrift Vipers.
Dripping Springs leads the district at 2-0 with a pair of wins over Austin Akins and Austin High, putting the Tigers as the early District 26 frontrunners. While the Tigers will be the favorite this week over Austin Bowie, all eyes will be on their district game one week from now against archrival Lake Travis in what could be a 6A Top 10 showdown.
Hays is also off to a great start, going 4-1 with a pair of district wins over Bastrop Cedar Creek and Lockhart. The Hawks offense is on a roll, averaging 46.2 points through five games. But Hays will face their toughest challenges of the season that will determine their postseason fate with Pflugerville Weiss, College State, Austin Anderson and A&M Consolidated on the horizon. Two to three wins in the next four games for the Hawks will put Hays back in the postseason for the first time since 2020 but anything less will put Hays behind the standings.
Lehman continues to build under Head Coach Chris Castillo. Despite their 1-5 record, the Lobos defeated Lockhart 32-12 for Lehman’s first ever 1-0 start in district play. Lehman will have an opportunity to win their second district game for the first time since 2013.
The smallest public school in Hays County, Wimberley continues their cardiac ways with their fifth straight onepossession game of the season. The Texans are 32 for the season with comeback wins against rivals Canyon Lake, Fredericksburg and Navarro and a pair of competitive losses to Austin LBJ and Lampasas, the former coming in overtime.
Coming off a bye, the Texans are now in the pursuit of their fifth consecutive district title when Wimberley goes on the road to Salado, who boasts a 4-2 overall record and a 2-0 district record.
