Converse Judson outlasts San Marcos, 55-35, in shootout

CONVERSE — It was a highly anticipated game between San Marcos and Converse Judson.

The off the field drama surrounding the two teams regarding allegations of recruiting players and postseason bans suddenly had fans circling the game.

While the outside factors clouding the game were kept at a minimum, the on-field fireworks were plenty.

Converse Judson took advantage of two San Marcos’ turnovers in the second quarter and turned them into 14 points as the Rockets won an offensive shootout against the Rattlers, 55-35.

The deciding factor came in the second quarter with the game tied up at 7-7 as the Rockets scored 21-unanswered points to take a 34-7 lead at halftime.

Although the Rattlers outscored Converse Judson 28-21 in the second half, the second quarter deficit wasn’t enough to overcome.

“The second quarter just imploded on us,” Walsh said. “First quarter it was 7-7 and then in the second half we didn’t punt the ball even once. You can’t turn the ball over in the second quarter three times and expect to beat a good playoff team.”

After the Rattlers tied the game up when Isaiah DeLeon found Jake Rodriguez-Scholz for the 13-yard touchdown pass, the Rockets responded with a touchdown of their own as Elijah Favela hit Jeremiah Dunn for a 17-yard touchdown to retake the lead at 14-7.

On the next possession, San Marcos fumbled the ball which was then picked up by Rocket defensive back Julius Calhoun who returned the ball 44 yards for the score as Converse Judson went up 21-7.

Following a Rattlers’ punt, Judson scored again when junior running back Nathaniel Stanley punched it in from five yards out but not before he broke a 52 yard run as the Rockets extended the lead at 27-7 following a blocked extra point.

Judson senior defensive back Kavari Smith picked off the ball for Rockets on San Marcos’ next possession which was turned into another seven points as sophomore running back Cameron Dillard punched it in to put his team up 34-7.

But the Rattlers didn’t back down.

Trailing 41-7 following another Rocket score, the Rattlers scored when DeLeon hit Rodriguez-Scholz on the double reverse pass to cut the lead down 41-14.

Another Rockets touchdown was responded with another Rattler touchdown as DeLeon hit senior running back Jaidyn Brown on the 12-yard shovel pass to make it 48-21.

San Marcos then recovered the following kickoff and turned it into seven points with Brown scoring on a two yard touchdown to cut the lead down to 48-28.

The Rattlers attempted the onside kick and almost recovered it but the officials made the controversial decision that the ball was touched before it crossed 10 yards and gave the ball back to Judson.

Favela hit Jonathan Johnson for the score to make it 55-28 before the Rattlers made one final touchdown as DeLeon threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game when he found junior wide receiver Tony Diaz for the score to make it final at 55-35.

San Marcos returns to play next Friday in the final home game of the season as it takes on rival New Braunfels at 7:30 from Toyota Rattler Stadium.