SAN MARCOS — Bastrop head coach Gerald Perry finally broke the Bobcat Stadium curse.
Bastrop defeated San Marcos 43-36 Friday in San Marcos to give Perry his first career win at Bobcat Stadium, including last year’s playoff loss to New Braunfels.
The Bears (3-1) had to make the most of their opportunities when the got it.
San Marcos (0-3) held Bastrop to just 16 offensive plays in the first half and out-gained Bastrop 278-175 in total offense, but Bastrop still led 29-21 at halftime thanks to three touchdown passes by Josiah Monroe, two of which were to Buddy Nunn.
Nunn finished the game with three catches for 105 yards.
Monroe finished the game with 172 passing and 87 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns, including a 37-yard run late in the fourth quarter.
Both teams opened the second half by turning the ball over on each of their first two possessions.
Monroe found Josh Taylor for a 31-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter to put Bastrop up 36-21, a lead it took into the fourth quarter.
The Rattlers did what they did in the first half and grind the ball out on the ground, wearing down Bastrop’s defense.
It proved successful as San Marcos tied the game on a pair of touchdows by Anthony Ramirez.
The Rattlers ran the ball successfully against Bastrop’s defense with 54 carries for 379 yards with Terrance Wilburn running for 197 of those yards.
But Monroe made quick work to take back the lead, scoring on a 37-yard run with 3:59 to take back the lead within a minute.
It was the second time Bastrop’s senior star made such a quick strike.
San Marcos moved within one point with 1:55 left in the first half, but it took Monroe just 13 seconds and one play to connect with Nunn for a 59-yard touchdown pass to widen the Bears lead.
San Marcos out-gained Bastrop in total offensive yards 480-357.
Bastrop is off next week before beginning District 16-4A on Oct. 1 against Rudder at BISD Memorial Stadium.

Bastrop 43, San Marcos 36
Bastrop (3-1)        14    15    7    7    -    43
San Marcos (0-3)    8    13    0    15    -    36

First quarter
B: Anthony Perez 60 fumble recovery (Hart McMillan kick) – 6:40
S: Adrian Narvaiz 1 run (Terrance Wilburn run) 2:09
B: Buddy Nunn 19 pass from Josiah Monroe (McMillan kick) – :52
Second quarter
S: Terrance Wilburn 33 run (Willie Williams kick) – 10:59
B: D.J. Gaines 5 pass from Monroe (Monroe pass) – 2:32
S: Dorian Perez 4 run (kick failed) -1:55
B: Nunn 59 pass from Monroe (McMillan kick) – 1:38
Third quarter
B: Josh Taylor 31 pass from Monroe (McMillan kick) – :52
Fourth quarter
S: Anthony Ramirez 8 pass from Narvaiz (Williams kick) – 8:08
S: Ramirez 9 run (Ramirez run) -4:58
B: Josiah Monroe 37 run (McMillan kick) -3:59

Team Statistics
B    S
First downs    14    23
Rushes-yards    22-185     54-379
Passing yards    172    101
C-A-I    7-12-1    4-6-0
fumbles-lost    2-1    3-4
punts-average    2-33    1-22
Penalties-yards    7-65    4-30

Individual statistics
Rushing
B: Josiah Monroe 8-87; Marcus Reed 8-40; Trae Bunton 3-48; Mark Jackson 3-10. S: Terrence Wilburn 27-197; Anthony Ramirez 3-31; Dorian Perez 8-101
Passing
B: Monroe 7-12-1 172 yards. S: Adrian Narvaiz 4-6-0 101 yards.
Receiving
B: Buddy Nunn 3-105: Bunton 1-30; Josh Taylor 1-31; D.J. Gaines 1-5. S: Wilburn 1-66; Perez 1021; Sean Miller 1-80.