HS Countdown to Kickoff: Hays looks set for promising 2018 season with key players returning

San Marcos’ football season will open the year with long-time rival Buda Hays as the Rattlers come off a successful 2017 season.

The Rebels recorded a 4-6 regular season record and a first-round exit in the Bi-District round of the playoffs in a district that matched them up against opponents such as Lake Travis and Westlake.

Hays is returning its top two producers on offense in rising seniors Xavier Martinez and Thailand Mayberry. Martinez served as the quarterback for the Rebels, concluding the season with 1,878 passing yards, 11 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 509 yards with another 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Mayberry shared the backfield with Martinez as the starting running back. Mayberry led the backfield with 1,007 rushing yards, four 100 yard-plus games and 10 touchdowns of his own. He also was a problem for defenses in the passing game with a tallied 345 yards in the air with two touchdowns.

The Rebels will also be returning their top two weapons on the outside in Sam Scott and Bayler Jordan who each recorded a team-high three touchdowns a piece. Jordan ended the year with 338 receiving yards, while Scott finished with 179.

A key aspect Hays will have to contend with is the introduction of a new coach. Les Goad was announced as the head coach by the Hays CISD board of trustees in late February of this year. Goad was recently the head coach and athletic director of Navarro ISD in Seguin before the hire.

This meeting will be the first game between the rival schools in seven years. The 2011 matchup resulted in a 49-27 Hays win over the Rattlers. This season’s game is scheduled to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. inside San Marcos Toyota Rattler Stadium.