The Countdown to Kickoff returns once again to go over every single game for the San Marcos Rattlers in the 2024 season.
With this year being a realignment year, the schedule has been shaken up as the Rattlers will face some familiar opponents and new teams.
But before breaking down the season opener, here is how the Rattlers did last year.
Needless to say, it was a rough year for San Marcos.
The Rattlers went 0-10, making it the first time San Marcos failed to win a regular season game since the 2010 season. With their loss to San Antonio Brandeis in the 2022 playoffs, the Rattlers will enter the 2024 season on a 11-game losing streak.
While the offense averaged 23.4 points, the defense gave up an average of 47.9 points along with nine teams scoring at least 40 points on San Marcos.
Despite all the woes of the 2023 season, the Rattlers are looking to prove that last year was nothing but a fluke.
During the 2024 UIL Realignment cycle, San Marcos was moved into District 29 along with previous district bunkmates Cibolo Steele, Converse Judson, San Antonio East Central and Schertz Clemens. Not joining District 29 is New Braunfels, who dropped down to 5A. New additions to District 29 are Buda Johnson and New Braunfels Canyon.
San Marcos opens up the 2024 season on the road against the Hutto Hippos.
The Hippos finished the 2023 season with a 4-7 record, finishing fourth in District 12. Hutto clinched the final spot beating Temple, Copperas Cove and Bryan.
In the Bi-District round of the playoffs, the Hippos faced the Duncanville Panthers, the defending 6A Division I State Champions. Hutto lost 56-7 to Duncanville as the Panthers captured their second straight state championship.
In realignment, Hutto was moved from District 12 and into District 25 with Austin Vandergrift, Cedar Park Vista Ridge, Manor, Round Rock, Round Rock Cedar Ridge, Round Rock McNeil, Round Rock Stony Point and Round Rock Westwood.
Heading into the season, Hippos will have to replace the bulk of the explosive offense from last year including now Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond who threw for 3,910 yards and 35 touchdowns while rushing for 1,094 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hutto will also have to replace their leading receiver in Alex Green who caught 101 passes for 2,056 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Returning for the Hippos is Keilan Chavies who ran for 520 yards on 103 carries and four touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 638 yards and eight touchdowns.
In the last meeting between San Marcos and Hutto, the Hippos out slugged the Rattlers in an offensive shootout, winning 66-35.
The Hippos are 2-0 all time against the Rattlers having played in 2022 and 2023. Hutto won the first meeting between the two teams 46-21.
Kickoff is set for Friday August 30 7:30 p.m. at Hutto Memorial Stadium.
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