Smithson Valley handled Angleton in the Class 5A-DI Semifinals and now has a shot to do what no other Rangers squad has done previously: Win the whole thing.
DALLAS — Will the fifth time be the charm?
On Saturday the 2024 Smithson Valley Rangers can win the school’s elusive first state title when they take on the Highland Park Scots, a Dallas squad that hasn’t made it this far since winning the championship in 2018.
Smithson Valley’s road to the Class 5A-DI Championship might’ve seemed easy based on the scores, but their bout against Angleton proved to be an instant Texas high school football classic.
Here’s how their journey to the AT&T Stadium unfolded:
- Round 1, Nov. 15: Defeated South San Antonio, 49-7
- Round 2, Nov. 22: Defeated Edinburg Vela, 55-13
- Round 3, Nov. 29: Defeated New Braunfels, 56-21
- Quarterfinals, Dec. 7: Defeated Corpus Christi Flour Buff, 49-14
- Semifinals, Dec. 14: Defeated Angleton, 21-14
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The Rangers defense will have its hands full with sophomore Scots superstar QB Buck Randall, a dual-threat that can keep plays alive as well as create some on his own. The key will be trying to keep him contained in the pocket and force the “young Buck” to throw the ball to Smithson Valley’s solid secondary that hasn’t allowed more than 21 points this entire playoff run.
Smithson Valley has made it to back-to-back state championships on the backs of their defense and phenomenal running game, helmed by elusive QB Cade Spradling and big-time RB Brad Sowersby. If the offensive line can hold up and wear down Highland Park’s defensive front the same way they have to opponents all season, the Rangers will have a good chance at bringing home bragging rights and championship glory.
The coaching matchup isn’t one to blow over. The game will see two of the best coaches to ever put on the headset in Texas duking it out for a chance to etch their name into the history books forever. Both coaches come into this matchup with a combined 784 wins, making it the “winningest coaching matchup in UIL Texas High School Football Championship history,” according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
The Scots’ leading man, Randy Allen, has the second-most total wins in Texas high school football history. And on the other sideline will be the Rangers’ high-profiled coach Larry Hill, who is ninth all-time in wins.
Under Hill’s tenor, Smithson Valley has now made it to five state championships, but have never been able to complete the job.
Will the Smithson Valley Rangers finally cross the finish line and win their first elusive title in the school’s history? Kickoff is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Fans can catch the game on the FanDuel Sports Network, formally known as Bally Sports, or stream it on the FanDuel Sports Network app and at FanDuelSportsNetwork.com.