In a battle of the Rangers, Smithson Valley held Lone Star to 6 after scoring 42 points in every postseason game before the championship to defend their title.
ARLINGTON, Texas — The Smithson Valley Rangers and Head Coach Larry Hill have completed what no other football team in the program’s history has completed before, winning back-to-back state championships. That coming after never winning one in the first place.
Last year head coach Larry Hill got the monkey off his back after he led the Rangers to their first ever state title, and the first for Hill in his more than 30-year coaching career.
Last week, the Rangers saw their title hopes slipping away when the scoreboard showed them down by two scores late in the 2nd quarter before making a comeback that not only saved their season, but also gave them a chance to defend their state title.
Even though the Smithson Valley outscored opponents 168-35 throughout their 2025 playoff run, they had another Rangers team to slay before reclaiming their title.
Frisco Lone Star came into the matchup undefeated at 15-0. That Rangers team also had an impressive playoff resume as they scored at least 42 points in every postseason game leading up to the championship.
For those who love defense, this first half was full of it as only three points were put up in the first quarter. Luckily, those three points came from the local Rangers. (3-0)
With six seconds before intermission, the Rangers kicked another field goal to extend the lead to six points. (6-0 | HALF)
For a Lone Star team who failed to score less than 42 points throughout their playoff run, Smithson Valley was able to hold them to a donut through the first 12 minutes of the state championship.
Smithson Valley didn’t waste anytime on their first possession of the second half after scoring on a 5-play, 54-yard drive to shock the Rangers on the other sidelines and extend the lead to (13-0)
Both defenses made big plays in the second half to keep the score low, but none bigger than Smithson Valley coming through forcing a turnover with six minutes left in the final frame.
The offense quickly to advantage of the field possession and scored, putting the nail in the coffin. (21-0)
Well at least we thought as the Smithson Valley defense forces Lone Star fans to the exits after scoring off a pick-six, capping off one of the best defensive performances we’ve seen from a local team in a state title game in recent memory. (28-0)
A touchdown from Lone Star with less than a minute left in the game held Smithson Valley’s defense from a shutout. (28-6)