SMHS FOOTBALL
Rattlers weather the storm, defeat Edinburg for first Area win since 2006
Corpus Christi might have brought the rain and lighting but it was the Rattlers bringing the thunder.
San Marcos scored 33 unanswered points as the Rattlers defeated the Edinburg Bobcats 33-3 in the Area championship game.
“It means everything,” junior wide receiver Jordan Lampkin said on the win. “Since we were 0-10 last year and this being my first year with these guys, it means everything. It’s everything for us.”
The Bobcats struck first, going on a long eight-minute drive but were unable to find the endzone as the Purple Thunder defense held firm. Edinburg kicked the 24-yard field goal to go up 3-0.
The Rattlers got inside the five-yard line of Edinburg when senior quarterback Buck Steyn hit junior wide receiver Jordan Lampkin, who made a one-handed catch, for a 65-yard gain.
San Marcos was able to get down to the one-yard line but on fourth and goal, the Rattlers were stopped short, giving the ball back to Edinburg.
Going into the second quarter, the Rattlers were down 3-0 with the Bobcats looking to add on to their lead. But the Purple Thunder defense had other ideas.
The Rattlers forced the fumble on the Bobcats next offensive drive as San Marcos got the ball back at the Edinburg 27yard line.
[The defense] has a lot of pride,” Head Coach John Walsh said. “We don’t really care about the stats, but once you get to the fourth quarter and you got [the oppoenent] out of that zone, you don’t want them in there.”
San Marcos took advantage of the turnover as Steyn hit Lampkin for a 16-yard touchdown pass to go up 7-3.
On the next play, the Rattlers forced a Bobcat punt. However senior Trey Walker was able to block the punt as the punter fell on the ball in the endzone for a safety, giving two points for the Rattlers to now lead 9-3.
Receiving the kickoff, the Rattlers struck again on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Steyn to senior Elliot Gray for the score, extending the lead to 163.
Senior kicker Julio Alvarado tacked on the final score for the Rattlers in the first half, booting a 40-yard field goal as time expired as San Marcos led 19-3.
The game then entered a two-hour delay as a group of thunderstorms brought lighting into the arena before play resumed.
On their first drive of the second half, Steyn hit Lampkin for a 46-yard touchdown to put the dagger into the Bobcats comeback hopes.
“We’re finding [our connection],” Lampkin said. “We couldn’t find it a little bit during the season, but now we’re finding it when we need it.”
Senior running back Justin Tardy put the finishing touches on the win with a seven-yard touchdown run to make the final score 33-3.
The Rattlers advance to the regional semifinals for the first time since 2006 and just the third time in program history since the expansion of the playoffs in 1982.
San Marcos will battle the defending 6A Division II State Champions Austin Vandegrift Vipers. The Vipers are coming off a 37-7 win over San Antonio Brandeis last Thursday and enter the game with a 10-2 overall record.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
The Rattlers celebrate with Area championship trophy after beating Edinburg. Daily Record photo by Colton McWilliams
Senior running back Justin Tardy scores the final touchdown for the Rattlers to seal the win. Tardy rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown in the victory. Daily Record photo by Colton McWilliams
The vaunted Purple Thunder defense held the Edinburg offense to the fewest points scored all season. Daily Record photo by Colton McWilliams
