The Smithson Valley Rangers kicked off their 2026 football season with a commanding 47-14 victory over the Sotomayor Wildcats on Thursday night at Farris Stadium in San Antonio. After a week-long delay due to weather, the Rangers were eager to showcase their skills, and they did not disappoint.
Smithson Valley was originally scheduled to face Katy Cinco Ranch the previous week, but inclement weather forced the cancellation of that matchup. Senior quarterback Ty Knutson expressed the team's excitement to finally take the field, stating, "It feels great just to be back with the team. Obviously, our game got canceled last week and we just wanted to be out here." Knutson, who led the Rangers to their second consecutive state championship last season, is looking to continue that success in his final year.
Caleb Peagler emerged as the star of the game, scoring four touchdowns in the first half alone. The senior running back and linebacker opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter. His performance was a testament to his preparation and skill, as he accumulated 84 rushing yards on 14 carries, with his longest run reaching 18 yards. Knutson praised Peagler's performance, noting, "It was special. They were playing off coverage on defense, so he kept running the ball. He was doing his thing." Peagler's ability to find the end zone early set the tone for the Rangers' offensive onslaught.
As the game progressed, Smithson Valley's offense diversified. Junior running back Gunnar Shoquist added to the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Later, sophomore wide receiver Schaeden Davis made a significant impact, catching an 85-yard touchdown pass from Knutson, marking the Rangers' first passing touchdown of the season. Davis finished the night with 110 yards on three receptions, while senior Hunter Haug contributed with five catches for 64 yards. Knutson, who completed 11 of 14 passes for 219 yards, emphasized the importance of keeping the offense running smoothly, stating, "I just think I did what I needed to do. I don’t think I did anything special... Just keep the offense running, that’s the main thing."
In the final quarter, Smithson Valley added another touchdown, with senior running back Rennix Vizurraga scoring on a 5-yard run. While the Wildcats managed to avoid a shutout, scoring two late touchdowns—one from senior Xavier Victor and another from Christopher Rodriguez—their efforts were not enough to close the gap. Rodriguez's impressive 33-yard run showcased his skill, but it was too late to alter the outcome of the game.
Sotomayor's Cameron Grady made his season debut after missing the opener due to legal issues, rushing for 48 yards on 10 carries. Despite the loss, the Wildcats are looking to regroup as they prepare for their upcoming District 29-6A matchup against Holmes next week.
Looking ahead, Smithson Valley will host Austin McCallum in their final non-district game before diving into the heart of their season. With eight regular-season games to navigate, the Rangers are already eyeing the potential for a third consecutive state title. Knutson acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, "We know it’s going to be hard, especially to three-peat. Every day we’re working hard at practice, and we’re ready for every day." The Rangers' strong start against Sotomayor sets a promising tone for the remainder of the season.
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