The San Marcos Rattlers encounter the final two weeks of the high school football season as two more chances to win.

Equally, it’s a chance for the Rattlers to build on their gains of the last three weeks, even though they’re mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in District 27-4A.

The Rattlers are 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the district. Three weeks ago, as they left the field in New Braunfels after a 35-14 loss at Canyon, they didn’t figure to do that well. But they have proven themselves equal to the district’s top competition with a win and two very close losses since then.

So, last year’s dismal 1-8 performance is long gone, to be replaced by this year’s story of a good football team playing in hard luck against a difficult district. That’s how the story looks as the Rattlers go to Boerne Champion (4-4, 1-4) Friday night, then finish at home against Seguin (2-6, 0-5).

“We’ve been playing really good football,” San Marcos head coach Steve Van Nest said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t show up in the wins and losses. We feel the program is in real good shape. We’re back to playing Rattler football. The program is going in the right direction.”

The Rattlers are led offensively by quarterback Ryan Schweers and running back Andre Ray. Schweers leads the team in total offense with 704 passing yards and 152 rushing yards, a total of 756 yards. Ray has 711 rushing yards and 119 receiving yards for a total of 830 yards. Scooter Walker, despite missing a game, has rushed for 372 yards and leads the team in receptions with 15 for 149 yards.

Champion notched its first win in the district last Friday in a wild 52-41 decision at Seguin. The Chargers have rushed for 1,124 yards this year and thrown for 1,196 yards.

In a key Hays County game, Wimberley will play at home Friday night against Llano. The Texans suddenly are in a tight race in District 8-3A, tied for the lead at 3-1 with Canyon Lake and Burnet, with Liberty Hill at 3-2 and Llano at 2-2.

The Texans already have defeated Canyon Lake and Burnet. But it remains that any of those five teams can still make the playoffs, or get knocked out in the final two weeks of the district season.

Dripping Springs will end a forgettable season Friday night at home against Lake Travis. The Tigers have lost seven straight games, falling to 2-7 overall and 0-6 in District 25-4A. Lake Travis is the two-time defending state champion in Class 4A with 40 straight victories.

San Marcos Baptist Academy will go for its second straight win Friday night at Texas Military Institute. The Bears are 5-3 overall and 1-2 in TAPPS Division II District 3.