Running back Ayden Fernandez carries red hot Reagan to win against Madison
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Reagan's bolt of offensive energy has come across the ball from all-district linebacker Ayden Fernandez.
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Fernandez delivered his best performance of the season Friday with 189 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in the Rattlers' 21-9 victory against Madison at Comalander Stadium.
"I feel it's the biggest cheat code you can have," Fernandez said. "I mean, as a linebacker, you're taught to guess where the running back is. I use that to my advantage as best I can, hitting the holes and manipulating them like I would to running back."
Reagan improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in District 28-6A, which is tied with No. 1 Johnson (5-0, 3-0) in the standings.
Fernandez scored on touchdown runs of 12 and 33 yards to give him seven rushing scores for the season. It was his best performance since going for 197 yards in a victory against Roosevelt last year.
"In practice, we have one motto - downhill run, downhill run," Fernandez said. "As you see, downhill running works. When you hit the gap fast, hit the hole fast, good things happen. When the o-linemen are on their keys, good things happen."
Fernandez is providing what the Rattlers needed on the offensive end after struggling in non-district losses against Steele (52-21) and Brennan (63-0) to open the season.
"He really created the spark we needed," Reagan coach Preston Meyer said. "We didn't really run the ball very well early, and he's come over there and he's really provided that spark. The kids look to him and has those leadership qualities and has done a really good job."
In district play, Fernandez has relinquished most of his defensive duties to focus on offense. It's a role he loves to play.
"It's a blessing," Fernandez said. "How many people in 6A Texas football get to say they play both sides - offense and defense - and make a big impact? I have faith in the guys, and I have faith in my team. One out of 11. Every eleven has to do his job."
A pass intended for Madison's Decoreion McMillian (2) sails over him and Reagan's Colt Galan (40) during the fourth quarter at Jerry Comalander Stadium in San Antonio, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (Sam Owens/San Antonio Express-News)Following a scoreless first quarter, Madison broke on the scoreboard midway through the second with a 35-yard field goal by Richard Manning. The score was set up by Juan Gonzalez's interception on Madison's 7-yard line that stopped a promising drive.
Reagan answered on the ensuing possession when Fernandez scored on a 12-yard touchdown run, capping a seven-play, 48-yard drive. Reagan's Ben Rice returned a kickoff 36 yards to put the Rattlers in Madison territory.
The Ratters that 7-3 lead into intermission and made it 14-3 on Fernandez's 33-yard score with 8:01 in the third.
Madison pulled to within 14-9 on Elijah Brito's 14-yard score. The Mavericks made the extra point but took it off the board and elected to go for two when Reagan was called for an offside penalty. The Mavericks missed on the running try.
Madison made a final push for the win and got to Reagan's 9-yard line with less than a minute left on a hook and lateral to Jaleel Lowery, who pitched to Decoreion McMillan for 33 yards. Two plays later, Jaden Bullock returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown that sealed the game.
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There’s more to San Antonio with the Express-News. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Running back Ayden Fernandez carries red hot Reagan to win against Madison.