The Hutto Hippos varsity football team is set to kick off the 20242025 season on Friday, Aug. 30, against the San Marcos Rattlers in a nondistrict matchup.
Hutto is coming off a 4-7 season, finishing fourth in the district with a 3-3 record. The Rattlers struggled last season, going winless at 0-10 and finishing last in their district.
The Hippos have opened the season against the Rattlers the past two years, winning both matchups.
Hutto defeated San Marcos 64-35 in 2023 and 46-21 in 2022. Hutto will enter this game needing to replace its two top offensive players from last season: quarterback Will Hammond and wide receiver Alex Green. Some key players who could step into these roles are senior quarterback/ wide receiver Braeton Anderson and running back Junior Keilan Chavies. Both were versatile contributors in 2023, with Anderson recording 714 all-purpose yards and Chavies accounting for 1,313 total yards. With Chavies returning, the Hippos may lean more on the run with so much to replace in the passing game.
San Marcos also has significant offensive production to replace, returning just four starters from a team that averaged 23.4 points per game last season. However, the Rattlers' biggest weakness is on the other side of the ball, where they allowed 47.9 points per game. If the Hippos can exploit this vulnerable defense, this game could be just what their offense needs to build confidence early in the season.
The game will be played at Hutto Memorial Stadium in Hutto. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
