Smithson Valley Rangers
Head Coach: Larry Hill (34th season; 330-92 record)
Last Season: 15-1; 7-0 in district (Defeated Frisco Lone Star in 5A Division I State Title Game)
Returning Lettermen: 33 (6 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)
Smithson Valley Key Players and Storylines
Smithson Valley went the first 48 seasons of its program history without a state title. Now, the Rangers have won two straight.
Last season, they shut down Frisco Lone Star 28-6 in the 5A Division I State Title Game. Their defense that forced four fumbles and had a pick-six in that game, but that unit graduated seven starters.
Still, they have one of the top players in 5A Division I in Texas Tech commit cornerback Hunter Haug (56 tackles), who is the defending District MVP. Safety Noah Johnson (54 tackles, two INTs) will also provide senior leadership on the back end. In the front seven, linebacker Devon Detoto (73 tackles, five TFLs) will be looking to build off a strong sophomore season, while defensive tackle Truth Duvall-El (35 tackles, five TFLs) is a returning second team all-district honoree in the trenches.
Smithson Valley QB Ty Knutson threw for 29 touchdowns to just three interceptions in 2025.
The Ranger offense packed some punch last year, averaging 39.8 points per game, and it should be just as good this year. 6’3″, 215-pound quarterback Ty Knutson (2,610 passing yards and 29 touchdowns) is back at the helm, but he won’t have to carry the load himself. Caleb Peagler, who rushed for 976 yards and 20 touchdowns despite missing five games last year due to injury, and Gunnar Shoquist (1,000 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns) are a formidable one-two punch. Haug (1,156 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns) will also be a headache for opposing teams as a standout receiver too.
Up front, tight end Luke Pearce (395 receiving yards) is a returning first team all-district honoree, while 5’10”, 260-pound center Kyle Gugliotti and 6’2″, 280-pound guard Jake Erwin both are back on the offensive line.
The defense may have stolen the headlines last year, but the Ranger offense returns all of its leaders this fall. They should be able to score with anybody as they chase that third-straight state title.
Smithson Valley Rangers 2026 Schedule
*Denotes 13-5A Division I Contest
August 28 (Friday) — vs. Cinco Ranch — 7:00 PM
September 3 (Thursday) — @ Sotomayor — 7:00 PM
*September 11 (Friday) — vs. McCallum — 7:00 PM
*September 18 (Friday) — @ Manor — 7:00 PM
*September 24 (Thursday) — vs. Cedar Creek — 7:00 PM
*October 1 (Thursday) — @ Lehman — 7:00 PM
*October 9 (Friday) — vs. Anderson — 7:00 PM
*October 16 (Friday) — @ Lockhart — 7:00 PM
*October 23 (Friday) — vs. Champion — 7:00 PM
*October 30 (Friday) — @ Seguin — 7:00 PM
