Rattlers focus on themselves in preparation for district play

The Rattlers went back to the basics during the off-week as San Marcos prepares for the district schedule.

Though the start of the season has not been what the Rattlers have wanted, Head Coach John Walsh said he has used the bye week to focus on themselves.

“Through non-district, we are obviously not where we want to be record- wise,” Walsh said.

“We spent this week identifying places where we need to focus on–in an off week where you normally don’t focus on from a fundamental point of view. … We have just focused on ourselves.”

The focus of the bye week has been avoiding both turnovers and self inflicting penalties.

“We are doing a good job on defense creating turnovers, but are negating that by giving up turnovers,” Walsh said. “We have worked a lot on ball security. Upfront we have been killing ourselves with undisciplined penalties. Going back to last week, if we don’t get half the holding calls, the drives are sustained and we can turn them into points.”

As the Rattlers prepare for district play, here is how San Marcos’ district opponents have fared through five games.

At the top of the district standings remains the only team with a winning record: the Cibolo Steele Knights.

Considered to be not only the district favorite but a Region IV favorite as well, the Knights have opened up the season with a stunning 52-0 win over San Antonio Brennan.

Since the win, Steele has racked up victories against Hutto, Midland Legacy, formerly Midland Lee and Birmingham High School out of California.

The Knights lone defeat of the season came at the hands of Lake Travis, as the Cavaliers came away with a hard fought 20-10 win.

The Knights are led by quarterback Chad Warner who has thrown for 1,288 yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception.

Steele’s wide receiving core is headed up by Jalen Cooper, who leads the team in receiving yards and touchdowns, with 22 catches for 552 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Highly touted receiver Royal Capell is second with 30 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns.

The battle for second place will be a heated race , as three teams enter district play with identical 2-3 records.

One of the teams involved will be the Rattlers next opponent, the Schertz Clemens Buffaloes.

Clemens has had an up and down season with wins over Austin Del Valle and Laredo United, but losses to San Antonio Madison, Cedar Park Vista Ridge and Odessa.

Of the three losses, two have come within one possession.

No stats have been provided by Clemens.

Longtime rival New Braunfels also comes into district play with a 2-3 record.

The Unicorns come into district play snapping a two-game losing streak following a 38-21 win over the Brenham Cubs.

The defeats for New Braunfels have been painful, with all three losses coming within one possession.

One of the defeats came in the season opener against Denton Ryan, as the Raiders won on a buzzer-beating two-yard touchdown pass.

The Unicorns are led by running back Tyree Johnson with 94 carries for 633 yards and eight touchdowns.

In the passing game, Leighton Adams helms the offense with 1,203 passing yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

East Central is the last team to come into district play with a 2-3 record.

After an 0-3 start with losses to San Antonio Harlan, San Antonio Roosevelt, and Smithson Valley, the Hornets come into district play with a two-game winning streak defeating Del Rio and Canyon Lake.

Quarterback Isaiah Mackey powers the Hornet offense with 906 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and only one interception.

Converse Judson comes into district play limping with a 1-4 record.

The Rockets started off the season with a 0-3 record with losses to San Antonio Johnson, Austin Westlake, and Pflugerville Weiss.

Judson came away with their first win of the season stunning the Hutto Hippos, 29-19.

The Rockets were unable to pull off the victory against Midland Legacy losing 39-31 in the final non-district game of the season.

Elijah Favela leads the Rocket offense with 822 yards passing with five touchdowns and four interceptions.

Nathaniel Stanley helms the Judson rushing attack with 44 carries for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

San Marcos returns to play this Friday as the Rattlers begin district play against the Clemens Buffaloes.

coltonbmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc