October 12th, 2013
Rattlers start district with 55-7 loss at Smithson Valley

STAFF REPORT

The District 25-5A schedule went off to a rough start Friday night for the San Marcos High School football team in a 55-7 loss at Smithson Valley.

Playing without quarterback Tucker Smith, the Rattlers couldn’t put the ball into the end zone until three minutes into the fourth quarter. By then, they were behind, 48-0.

In fact, the Rattlers were behind 20-0 after one quarter and 41-0 at the half. Smithson Valley struck early and often with three touchdowns of 70 yards or more in the first 15 minutes of the game.

The Rangers, 6-0 overall, scored less than 2:30 after kickoff on a two-yard run by quarterback Garrett Smith. Cameron Jones followed for Smithson Valley with a 90-yard touchdown run with 3:38 left in the first quarter. Two minutes after that, Smith threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Coiner. Smith added a 72-yard touchdown run with 9:30 left in the second period to make it 27-0.

San Marcos claimed it’s only score with a 64-yard run by Joseph Wilburn with 8:56 left in the game.

The Rangers rolled through the San Marcos defense for 684 total yards, 428 of them on the ground. San Marcos responded with 267 total yards.

The Rattlers didn’t have their usual zip in the passing game. Zach Sterling completed 11 of 22 passes for 67 yards. Sterling also had 58 rushing yards. With his long touchdown run, Wilburn led the Rattlers in rushing with 75 yards.

In other District 25-5A games, New Braunfels Canyon beat New Braunfels in the Wurst Bowl, while Judson beat Wagner, 48-17. Thus, Canyon and Judson are with Smithson Valley at 1-0 in the district, while Wagner and New Braunfels are with San Marcos at 0-1.

The Rattlers, 3-3 overall, will play again next Thursday at Bobcat Stadium against New Braunfels (7:30 p.m.) in a critical game toward positioning for a playoff spot. The Unicorns are 1-5 overall.