The feeling among the Reagan players and coaches at the end of Saturday night’s game was something to which the Rattlers have become accustomed.
Reagan already had wrapped up the District 26-6A title before Saturday’s game against Lee. But by the time the team hopped on the bus and left Comalander Stadium, it was the proud owner of another undefeated district record.
The Rattlers beat Lee 42-7. For the second straight year, Reagan finished the regular season without a district loss on its ledger.
At the beginning of the season, Reagan coach David Wetzel was unsure if the Rattlers could replicate last year’s success.
“I don’t know if we felt like we had what it would take to go undefeated,” Wetzel said. “I think it’s very hard to do that. But we felt like we could have a good football team once the season progressed, and we have.”
Reagan (9-1, 6-0) jumped on the Volunteers early. The Rattlers reeled off the first six touchdowns and led 42-0 at halftime thanks to their rushing attack and a few timely passes from sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond.
On the ground, the Rattlers were led by sophomore running back Marquis Duncan, who ran for two touchdowns and was one of the many starters who rested during the second half.
“I think we came out and executed on both sides of the ball,” Wetzel said. “They loaded up to stop the run, and we were still able to run the ball. We felt like we needed to take a couple of shots over the top because they had everybody up (the field), and it worked.”
Reagan’s defense stifled Lee (3-6, 0-5) and was rewarded with a defensive touchdown late in the first half. Reagan senior linebacker Brucks Saathoff returned a fumble for a 62-yard score.
After their fifth district title in seven years, the Rattlers will have a week to rest before starting the postseason. Last year, Reagan ran into Steele in the second round and was knocked from the playoffs.
Saathoff said now that Reagan’s regular season is over, the team is shifting its attention to the 12th week of the season and beyond.
“That’s going to be the only thing on our minds,” Saathoff said. “Last year, we got knocked out early. We’re not looking for that this year.”
Story courtesy of San Antonio Express News. bbaby@express-news.net