Smithson Valley Goes Back-to-Back

There is nothing flashy about the Smithson Valley Rangers. None of the players put up gaudy numbers, and the team does not have any specific stars. The program bears the image of the man who built the program, Head Coach Larry Hill. Like Hill, the team applies a hard-nosed gritty work ethic to everything they do. Coach Hill even said that the theme for his team this year was. That grit earned his team their second-consecutive state championship. On Friday night, Smithson Valley won its second-consecutive 5A-D1 title with an impressive 35-10 victory over the previously undefeated Frisco Lone Star Rangers.

The Lone Star Rangers presented a daunting challenge for their opponent. Head Coach Jeff Rayburn's squad featured four-star prospects Davion Groce, Jordan Deck, and Karece Hoyt. The offense was led by sophomore phenom Trey Wright. Smithson Valley senior linebacker Colton Hornsby said that one of the main objectives was to contain Wright and prevent him from taking over the game. Hornsby and his teammates held Wright to just 115 yards passing with one touchdown and an interception.  Additionally, Wright only rushed for 30 yards. When asked how he felt about his team beating such a talented opponent, Hill quipped that, "Maybe the scouts should have their heads examined and start looking at our guys."

Both teams struggled out of the gate in the first half. Neither offense could generate any sustained rhythm. Smithson Valley scored two field goals for the only points of the half. In the second half, however, Smithson Valley got their offense to click. Quarterback Ty Knutson connected with receiver Hunter Haugh for a thirty-nine yard touchdown pass, and running back Caleb Peagler scored on a one-yard run. Hornsby also got the defense in on the scoring with a 23-yard pick six. Lone Star receiver Logan Brown had the lone score for his team with a 32-yard touchdown catch.