Rattlers Fall Short in Final Home Game Against Wagner

By Isaac Melchor

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The San Marcos Rattlers fell 33-28 to the Wagner Thunderbirds in their final home game of the season Friday night, coming up just short after a late comeback attempt.

Wagner, receiving the opening kickoff, struggled to move the ball on their opening possession, with two dropped passes forcing them into a fourth-and-8 situation before punting.

San Marcos took advantage of the opportunity on its first drive. Quarterback Ayden Salik led the Rattlers down the field, connecting with Darrian Cruz for a first down before Jordan Lampkin found the end zone on a rushing touchdown with 6:16 remaining in the first quarter. The Rattlers attempted a two-point conversion but were unable to convert. However, after a defensive pass interference penalty, San Marcos were able to try again to convert and did so, taking an 8-0 lead.

Wagner responded in the second quarter, putting together a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to tie the game at 8-8.

The Rattlers answered with a big play of their own as Lampkin broke free for a 50-yard run. Sebastian Diaz finished the drive with a rushing touchdown with 3:44 remaining in the first half. San Marcos would go for 2 again, this time not being able to do so, taking only a 14 to 8 lead.

The game was briefly interrupted by a fight between players that resulted in penalties against Isaiah White and Cameron Bundage. White was ejected from the game, while offsetting penalties kept the game moving.

Wagner took advantage of the opportunity, with Joyzne Scott scoring a touchdown with 1:16 remaining in the first half. The Thunderbirds converted the extra point to take a 15-14 lead.

San Marcos had another opportunity right before halftime, with Lampkin making consecutive plays to move the Rattlers into the red zone. A pass interference penalty helped advance the drive, but the Rattlers were unable to capitalize. San Marcos went for it on fourth-and-1, a flee flicker to Jordan Lampkin where his pass attempt was intercepted.

The Rattlers struggled to find their rhythm coming out of halftime, going three-and-out on their opening possession. Wagner then put together a lengthy scoring drive, using its running game to take nearly nine minutes off the clock. Xavier Arnold finished the drive with a rushing touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion to extend the Thunderbirds’ lead to 23-14.

San Marcos continued to fight back in the third quarter. Lampkin appeared to break away for a 70-yard touchdown, but a holding penalty brought the play back. He later broke off another run of approximately 30 yards to put the Rattlers inside the 15-yard line with 1:47 remaining in the third quarter.

San Marcos used a reverse pitch to Lampkin on the next scoring opportunity. He raced down to the 1-yard line before punching in the touchdown himself. The Rattlers cut Wagner’s lead to 23-21.

Wagner answered early in the fourth quarter with a deep pass to senior Anthony Rodriguez Martinez, who found the end zone to extend the Thunderbirds’ lead to 30-21 with 10:33 remaining.

The Rattlers refused to go away. Cameron Bundage recovered a fumble with 6:55 left and returned it all the way for a touchdown, bringing the score to 30-28.

Wagner responded by driving down the field and converting a field goal to make it 33-28. San Marcos had one final opportunity with 2:24 remaining and all three timeouts available.

However, a penalty pushed the Rattlers back, and they were unable to convert on their final possession. Wagner took over and entered into victory formation to secure the 33-28 win.

Coach John Walsh when asked about the teams struggle with penalties had this to say, “I’m gonna call it what it is, we got selfish players making selfish plays, if we didn’t get a flag at the end, we would’ve been at the four yard line.”

He also said, “there’s 97 percent of the boys playing to win, but then the 3 percent doesn’t want to conform and do things right, you lose by 5 points, to a game you should’ve won.” 

The San Marcos Rattlers will travel to East Central Friday, November 6th, for their final regular season game.