It's been seven seasons since San Marcos High School and Hays High School went head-to-head on the gridiron, and the Rebels came out on top Friday night, claiming a 34-17 win over the Rattlers in a revived old rivalry between two former district powerhouses. Since both schools have fallen subject to redistricting at different times during the last decade, the rivalry that was so popular in the 1990s hasn't had a chance to thrive again since 2003, when San Marcos crushed the Rebels 33-7 in Buda.
Junior Adrian Narvaiz got the nod to start at quarterback, sending week-one-experiment Terrence Wilburn back to the running back position, where he thrived. Wilburn started at QB on opening night against Marble Falls, and was picked three times as the Mustangs shut the Rattlers out 49-0. On Friday, Wilburn handled the ball impeccably well, displaying soft hands and an innate ability to gain yards after the catch in the most graceful of ways – the senior still has "it," which is a big reason he’s playing Division I football for UTSA next year.
In the season opener, San Marcos held Marble Falls at bay effectively throughout the majority of the first quarter – in this one against Hays, the defense wasn't as solid, but did put up a goal line stand early on and forced the Rebels to settle for a field goal to lead 3-0. That meant San Marcos had yet to score in 2010, and the first quarter was winding down.
Wilburn answered the call to spur the offense, catching a pair of 22- and 19-yard passes from Narvaiz, before a 25-yard gain put the Rattlers in the red zone for the first time this season. After another Hays field goal, three points were all the Purple and White could post on its side of the board, but this did cut the Rebel lead in half, and got the proverbial scoreless-monkey off of San Marcos' back.
But the typical size difference that so many speak of between Rattler football – the "little guys" – and most other teams in the area – who typically seem to be much larger young men – reared its ugly head again, and Hays had an answer for nearly every other Snake score, and then some. San Marcos was able to come within two possessions before the half, but a 20-10 game became a 27-10 score at the half time buzzer when Hays' Billy Tabor hauled a 7-yard pass in for a score.
Again, after the half, the Snakes had an answer coming out of the locker room and quickly scored seven more, but 27-17 wouldn't last as Rebels quarterback Caleb Kimbro ended the third quarter with a short run that sealed the final score, 34-17.
Head coach Steve Van Nest finds his Rattler football team to be capable, and says his guys make things happen when they are able to execute plays and play with a sense of dominance – or more specifically, a sense of confidence. That "go-get-em" mentality. A lot of work is left to be done for a struggling 0-2 San Marcos High School football team, but as Hays isn't in the Rattlers' district any longer, the bright spot is that this game could be viewed as a tune-up to district play, which Van Nest says is what he and his team are more focused on than anything.
The Rattlers return to the field and face a big challenge against Bastrop High School next weekend, still searching for their first win. Catch game live on 89.9 FM KTSW, and also on the web at KTSW.net. Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17, at Bobcat Stadium in San Marcos.
Mason Robinson, KTSW Assistant Sports Director
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