On Friday, the lights come back on.
San Marcos will play in its annual Spring Scrimmage inside San Marcos Toyota Rattler Stadium at 6 p.m. It’ll be the final chance for the coaches to get a good look at what their team looks like on the field, and the final chance for the players to leave an impression on the coaches until training camp starts this summer.
The Rattlers held a scrimmage on May 3, putting the final touches on what has been a successful spring camp thus far. Associate head coach Gilbert Rodriguez said he’s liked he’s seen so far.
“We saw the kids competing,” Rodriguez said. “That’s what we always talk about when we talk about knowing the situation and winning the situation … I think preparation has really put us in a situation to win those battles and we’re pretty excited about that.”
The players know there’s room for improvement, though. They’re hoping to round off the rough edges of each of the offense and defense’s games.
“I feel like we look good as a unit and we’ve been making a lot of good plays,” junior tight end Matt Dixon said. “But there’s just little things we need to fix. Just little techniques on the blocking, and in the two minute drill, getting out of bounds a lot better.”
“For the defense, it’s just starting slow at times,” sophomore safety Kannon Webb said. “If we can pick up starting slow, then we’re right where we would like to be. You know, there’s always room for progression, but starting off slow is our biggest flaw right now.”
The coaches are looking forward to seeing how the hard work the team has put in this spring will translate onto the field. The players will be thrown into all kinds of different situations -- red zone, goal line, two-minute drill. Rodriguez said it’s important to see how each of them respond.
“What we’re trying to accomplish is just getting these guys into position to be successful,” Rodriguez said. “I’m looking forward to seeing these guys compete in that certain situation because you get to see who’s ready and who’s not. And so, it’s pretty exciting to watch.”
The players are excited, too, but for a much simpler reason.
“The lights are on, man,” Webb said. “What can you not look forward to?”
