STORIES OF THE YEAR
Rattlers snap 21game losing streak
The San Marcos Daily Record is ranking the top stories of 2025, here is 11th best story of the year: Justin Tardy ran for 161 yards and three touchdowns and Donovan Garcia added another 106 yards and a touchdown as the San Marcos Rattlers opened their season with a 4027 win against the Hutto Hippos at Toyota Rattler Stadium.
The Hippos, who trailed by as much as 20 with 7:13 remaining, recovered back-to-back onside kicks to cut the Rattlers lead to six, but could get no closer as the San Marcos defense forced Hutto to turn the ball over on downs.
Garcia put the game away two plays later with a 54-yard touchdown run with 1:27 remaining.
“It’s been a while since that good feeling has been on this turf at Rattler Stadium,” Head Coach John Walsh said. “I’m glad the kids and coaches get to feel good. But most of all, I’m glad we picked up a win and learned there were a lot of situations in that football game for game one. So we got to go through all those situations. It was great.”
Rattlers quarterback Buck Steyn completed 10 of 16 passes for 171 yards, including a 14yard touchdown to Jah’Marien Nichols to cap a nine-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half.
Tardy added another six catches for a teamhigh 89 yards, followed by Hank Harris with two catches for 56 yards.
Hutto quarterback Kaden Stefek opened the game with interceptions on back-to-back possessions, each of which led to Tardy touchdowns and a 13point lead. Stefek finished with 206 yards and a pair of touchdown passes against three interceptions.
Hippos receiver Dylan Owens hauled in seven passes for 108 yards, including a 30-yard touchdown, and Jaiden Fields added another seven catches for 72 yards.
The Rattlers defense held Hutto to 46 total yards rushing on 23 carries.
