FRIDAY FOOTBALL PREVIEW
SMHS FOOTBALL
The Rattlers continue on during their 2024 season as San Marcos hosts the San Antonio Wagner Thunderbirds.
Both the Rattlers and the Thunderbirds are looking for their first wins of the season in what is expected to be a throwback to old school football with both teams offensive schemes focusing on the ground game.
Wagner is coming off a bye following their week one loss to the Dripping Springs Tigers 35-6. The Thunderbirds ran for 206 yards on the Tigers with running back William Reynolds leading the way with 145 yards rushing on 34 carries and one touchdown.
San Marcos is looking to bounce back following a tough loss to Weiss.
In their last meeting, the Thunderbirds defeated the Rattlers 62-17 during the 2023 season.
The Thunderbirds are coming off a 7-4 season after tying for second place in District 12 5A Division I with New Braunfels Canyon and Boerne Champion. Wagner’s season ended in the Bi-District round of the playoffs in a 45-17 loss to A&M Consolidated.
Wagner returns four offensive starters and five defensive starters from last year’s team including Reynolds who ran for 935 yards and 13 touchdowns.
The Thunderbirds moved into District 13 5A Division I along with Boerne Champion, New Braunfels, San Antonio MacArthur, San Antonio Pieper, Seguin, Smithson Valley and Victoria East.
The history of the San Marcos-Wagner series dates back to the 2010 season when the Rattlers and the Thunderbirds were placed in the same district and remained district bunkmates for the next four seasons.
Wagner won the first ever meeting 42-7 before taking the second game at 49-17 in the next season. The Thunderbirds won the matchup during the 2012 season, beating the Rattlers 43-7.
San Marcos won their first ever game against Wagner 33-22 in the 2013 season.
The two teams did not meet again until the 2022 season in non-district play. In perhaps the most thrilling game of the series, the Thunderbirds defeat the Rattlers 42-41.
Wagner leads the overall series 5-1.
Kickoff for San Marcos- Wagner will take place at 7:30 p.m. tonight from Toyota Rattler Stadium in San Marcos.
cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc
