Shorthanded Rattlers battle in loss to Schertz Clemens

SCHERTZ — It’s never over for San Marcos.

The Rattlers showcased heart to bounce back after struggling in the first quarter of their 49-28 loss to Schertz Clemens at Lehnhoff Stadium on Friday. They had reached the red zone on their previous drive after coming up with a fumble recovery, but weren’t able to cash in for any points. 

Trailing 14-0 on 2nd and 3 from the 33-yard line, senior running back Jamon Johnson took a carry six yards up the field for a first down. On the next play, Johnson lined up to the left side as a receiver and trotted down the field on a streak route.

Junior quarterback Alex Garcia hit him in stride and Johnson shook off his defender to find the endzone on a 61-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Buffaloes’ lead in half.

“I think the coaches are doing a great job of getting ready to go and I think the kids are understanding what we’re wanting out of them,” head coach Mark Soto said. “So, really happy to see the ball move.”

A rash of injuries stalled the Rattlers’ momentum, though. After a touchdown by Clemens later in the second, Garcia kept the ball on the first play of San Marcos’ drive and burned the Buffaloes for 24 yards. But a big hit hurt Garcia on the play, and the junior was sidelined for the rest of the game.

The team turned to Noah Stubblefield, but the sophomore couldn’t keep the drive alive. Clemens scored one last time before the half to push the lead to 28-7.

“It seems like the last four minutes of the second quarter has been our — that’s when we’ve been getting snake bit,” Soto said.

With Garcia out, the Rattlers leaned heavily on Johnson, and the running back produced. The senior accounted for eight carries and 56 yards on a 10-play, 65-yard drive by San Marcos. Johnson punched into the endzone on the goal line for his second touchdown of the evening.

But on San Marcos’ next drive at the beginning of the fourth quarter, Johnson was injured on an 18-yard run and was helped off the field. Sophomore running back Desmond Garcia took his place, and the team was left with an inexperienced backfield.

Stubblefield and Desmond stepped up to the challenge. The offense marched 61 yards down the field, thanks to two throws by Stubblefield to senior wide receivers Elijah Edwards and Mhyson Williams that went for over 30 yards each.

Johnson managed to return to the game and rushed into the endzone one last time from two yards out, making the score 42-21.

“I thought Noah did a great job in there,” Soto said. “(He) made some really nice throws. He’s got a really nice throwing motion, he’s real fluid. So I thought he did a good job in there. I thought Jamon did a good job putting the team on his back and running as hard as he could. Then when Desmond got in, he made some things happen there towards the end, too. So, really happy to see those young guys helping out the team.”

The victory pushes Schertz Clemens at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in district while moving the Rattlers to 1-6, 0-3.

Soto still plans on finishing the season strong. It’s still not over for San Marcos.

“You just go back to work,” Soto said. “Everytime, you go back to work. There’s no secret sauce to it. You go back to work, you clean up your mistakes, you try to get better.”

The team will head back to San Marcos Toyota Rattler Stadium next week to host New Braunfels on Friday at 7:30 p.m.