Rattlers Look to Secure a Playoff Spot in Walsh’s Second Season

By Kyle Owen
Sports Director

The San Marcos Rattler Football team, (4-5, 3-3), started their season off 1-4 overall and 0-2 in District 26-6A play with losses to Lake Travis and Westlake. After an early-season struggle, the Rattlers are 3-1 since.

If the Rattlers come out with a win over Austin Akins Friday, they will solidify themselves as the fourth-best team in the district and a playoff spot for the first time since 2017. The Rattlers beat Round Rock Westwood in the first round of the playoffs, 64-50, before falling to Houston Westfield, 47-3, the following weekend.

“We’ve got to punch our ticket now, you know, it is for sure,” Coach Walsh said.  “You win and you’re in and if you don’t, you’re in a stupid tiebreaker. We don’t want to be in a tiebreaker. We control our own destiny still.  [We] just [have to] make sure we’re thorough.  Every day matters, every session we’ve got matters and we’ll be ready.”

Prior to last week’s loss to Austin Bowie, the rattlers were on a three-game winning streak, out-scoring their opponents 149-94. In the second half alone, they almost doubled their opponents, 79-42, where the defense has really stepped up. Austin Akins is going to present a challenge for the Rattlers that Walsh and his team haven’t seen yet this year.

“They [run] a slot-T, they’re doing a good job on offense moving the ball against everybody,” Coach Walsh said. “I think I saw the score at halftime, 28 points against Lake Travis… which is pretty respectful against that group. What I know about them is they’re doing a good job with their slot-T. They’ve got a left tackle [who is] a Big 12 [conference] commit, so, we’ll see.”

For the Rattler offense, in the three games in district play that San Marcos has lost, they’ve been held scoreless. The only points the Rattlers scored in those three games came from the San Marcos defense against Lake Travis with an interception returned for a touchdown. They’ll have to find something more if they want to make a run in the playoffs.

The San Marcos Rattlers will face the Austin Akins Eagles (4-5, 2-4) in both of their final regular-season game of the season and a shot at District 26-6A’s fourth and final playoff spot.  The two teams will play one another on Friday, Nov. 5, at Austin Burger Stadium.

You can listen live on KTSW 89.9 where Kyle Owen and Jacob Aromy will be on the call. If you can’t catch the game over the airways you can always keep up on Twitter from KTSW Sports’ Twitter account, @KTSWSports.

Featured Image by Kyle Owen