Reagan quarterback Kellen Mond passed for 202 yards and three touchdowns as the Rattlers rolled to a 51-7 victory over East Central on Friday night.
Reagan’s front seven made life miserable for East Central quarterback Justin Mendoza, sacking the junior nine times and forcing him out of the pocket repeatedly.
“Our defensive coaches came with a great game plan,” said Reagan coach David Wetzel, who pulled his starters after leading 44-0 at halftime. “We just wanted to get out of here without any injuries.”
Junior running back Skyler Wetzel chipped in 72 yards and a score on the ground for the Rattlers (3-1), while Mond hit wideout Connor Hefron three times for 136 yards, including an 85-yarder just two minutes into the game.
“Our line protected great, and our receivers got open,” said Mond, who emerged from a tough quarterback battle this summer to secure the starting spot over junior backup Nick Stolt (108 total yards, one rushing touchdown). “I worked hard this summer to get faster, too.”
Reagan didn’t punt in the first half, racking up six touchdowns and a field goal on its first seven drives. Meanwhile, the Rattlers’ defense held East Central to 105 yards on offense in the first half — the Hornets had more yards (132) punting the ball.
East Central’s closest chance in the first half came after recovering a fumble on Reagan’s 22 with a minute left. But after the turnover, the Hornets (1-3) couldn’t manage a single yard, losing 28 on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and three straight sacks.
Senior tailback Javion Polk paced the Hornets on the ground with 88 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore Jauwon Hall added 73 and East Central’s only score of the night, a 56-yard burst against the Rattlers’ reserves in the fourth quarter.
Reagan kicker Alex Webb added a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter, a pair of extra points and two touchbacks that helped stymie East Central.
The Rattlers open District 26-6A play next Friday against Roosevelt (0-4).
Article by Jeremy T. Gerlach, San Antonio Express News Photo courtesy of Phil Franzone, Alamo Sports Photography