The Laredo Rattlesnakes were a 2012 LSFL expansion team. Matt Jeffers led the new team at quarterback, passing for 2,186 yards, 38 scores and 14 interceptions. His top target was Jermaine McGee, who caught 42 balls for 543 yards and 16 touchdowns. Michael Bragg led the defense with nine interceptions. After winning its first two games, the team would lose six of their next seven before winning three in a row to end the year and qualify for the playoffs. With the loss of Houston, the team was given a home playoff game. Three of the team's six wins came agsinst Rio Grande Valley, the team they would host in the semifinals. However, a 21 yard touchdown pass with ten seconds left gave the Magic a 50-47 victory. The Rattlesnakes returned in 2013 with a new quarterback at the helm in Bryan Randall. He threw for 2,050 yards, 44 scores and six picks, while leading the team in rushing with 77 yards and ten more scores. Last year's leading receiver, Jermaine McGee, only scored seven times on 41 catches, while Damian Clarck became the top target, amassing 859 yards and 22 receiving touchdowns. Michael Bragg again led the defense, though with only four picks this season. The team's up and down year boiled down to disparity in their play in the beginning and end of games. The team averaged 28 points in all first quarters, but just eight in the fourth. This included a 62-61 opening night loss to Abilene, in which Abilene outscored the Rattlesnakes 21-0 in the fourth. Laredo did qualify for the playoffs with a 7-5 record and was a host team in the semifinals against New Mexico. The Snakes won 61-56, behind a 21-7 third quarter and touchdown with 2:32 left in the game. The team then took a 21-7 first quarter lead on the Amarillo Venom in the title game, but surrendered a 28-6 second quarter. A back and forth match from there resulted in a 70-69 Amarillo repeat title victory, as a Venom touchdown and extra point with 11 ticks left sealed the game.