2012 LSG Team Preview — Smithson Valley Rangers

By Michael Wright
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Updated: August 5, 2012

2012 LSG Texas High School Football Team Preview — Smithson Valley Rangers

Team: Smithson Valley Rangers (25-5A)

Colors: Navy/White

1st varsity season: 1976

Stadium: Ranger Stadium

Enrollment: 2,165 -- 4th largest in the district out of 6 schools

2012 Schedule:
@ San Antonio Brandeis
@ Laredo United
El Paso Montwood
San Antonio Madison
Corpus Christi King
@ San Marcos **
@ Converse Judson **
New Braunfels Canyon **
@ New Braunfels **
San Antonio Wagner **

Coach: Larry Hill (18 years) 192-53 at Smithson Valley (#1 all time wins in Smithson Valley history); 202-64 all-time coaching record

Returning Lettermen: 37

Returning Starters: Offense: 4 Defense: 8

Key Players:
* RB Lawrence Mattison DIST Offensive MVP, 2nd Team All-State (TSWA) 1,943 yards 27 TDS rushing TOP 20 RB
* LB George Schwanenberg Honorable Mention All-State (TSWA) as DL 69 tackles 8 sacks
* DB Clayton Mooney
* DB Joey Bochat
* OL Garrett Gunter 1st Team All-District TOP 30 OL
* LB Diego Hodges 1st Team All-District
* LB Sebastion Sanchez 1st Team All-District
* DB Clayton Lauderdale
* DB Austin Pierce
* DL Tory Holmes
* OL Clayton Chapin
* K Carlos Castello

Notes:
* Are moving back to Class 5A after being in 4A for the past 2 seasons where they went 20-4

Mike Says: The Rangers are always at the top of everyone's top teams in the state list no matter what classification they play in. This years team will also be a contender and will feature a strong running game and defense. Linebacker Schwanenberg will be a force on the defensive side that brings back 8 starters from a unit that only gave up 17 points per game last year. The offense will show off one of the best running backs in the state in Mattison. Pre-District games with San Antonio Brandeis and Madison will show them where they stand. Look for them to go 8-2 or 7-3 in the regular season and fight Converse Judson for the district title. They will be a power in the region with top competition coming in Division II from Brandeis and Cibolo Steele.

Chris Says: Coach Larry Hill runs one of my favorite programs and has consistently put a winning team on the field for 18 years. The Smithson Valley community is behind him, his coaches are behind him, his players are behind him - expect more of the same. The Rangers move up to Class 5A and a lot of people expect it to hurt their win/loss record. The bottom line though is that the top programs in Class 4A can compete with the top programs in Class 5A. For that reason, do not expect to see much let down. The stingy Ranger defense will be just as stingy this season and their offense will continue to score on everyone. Expect Smithson Valley to go into the playoffs with only a loss or two and then, depending on the matchups, last three or four rounds into the postseason.

Last Years Record: 10-2 overall 5-1 District

2011 Games:
at Odessa Permian (6-5) (W 40-27)
vs Laredo United (9-4) (W 42-13)
at San Antonio MacArthur (2-8) (W 20-19)
vs Converse Wagner (7-4) (W 28-17)
vs New Braunfels Canyon (7-4)* (W 30-3)
at Kyle Lehman (6-4)* (W 41-0)
vs San Antonio Alamo Heights (8-4)* (W 41-15)
at Schertz Clemens (4-6)* (W 42-14)
vs Lockhart (2-8)* (W 35-6)
at Buda Hays Consolidated (8-4)* (OT) (L 28-34)

Playoffs: Division I Area
vs San Antonio McCollum (8-3) (at Smithson Valley) (W 48-17) Bi-District
vs Lake Travis (16-0) (at Alamodome) (L 21-42) Area

2011 JV Record: 9-0

History:
* Ranks #23 in the 2012 LSG Team Of The Decade Rankings
* 15 consecutive winning seasons
* 9+ wins in 13 of last 14 seasons
* 10 of the last 14 years they have been in the regional championship game
* 5-1 vs. Converse Wagner
* 6-1 vs. San Antonio MacArthur since 2004 (Mac won in 2010)
* All-Time Record 225-172-6 56.58% 403 games
* Playoff Appearances (15) 1994,1996,1997,1998,1999,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2010

Championship History: (3) 0-3
2001 4A Division I - Denton Ryan 42, Smithson Valley 35 - OT
2002 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 45, Smithson Valley 14
2004 5A Division II - Southlake Carroll 27, Smithson Valley 24

Last 5 year record: 50-12

Last 10 year record: 114-22

Did you play for the Smithson Valley Rangers? You are eligible for The Brotherhood of Texas High School Football. <---click to be honored