This past week the San Marcos Rattlers Softball team took on the Steele Knights in a tough district matchup.
VYPE caught the highlights of the game below!
This past week the San Marcos Rattlers Softball team took on the Steele Knights in a tough district matchup.
VYPE caught the highlights of the game below!
Thursday, September 4 – 7:00 PM // Northside ISD's Dub Farris Athletic Complex -- San Antonio, TX
There’s a difference between scheduling a challenge and actively chasing one — and neither Brennan nor Smithson Valley have been known to shy away.
After kicking off their 2025 season with a hard-fought 21-13 road win over Reagan, the Bears now turn their focus to the reigning 5A Division I state champions, Smithson Valley, in what figures to be one of the most telling matchups of the young season.
The two area powers will meet this Thursday night, and while the stakes may not be postseason-high, the implications — and intensity — should come close.
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For head coach Stephen Basore and the Bears, the early test is both a measuring stick and an opportunity.
Brennan is coming off an undefeated District 28-6A championship campaign — their fourth in five years — and a playoff run that ended in the Area Round against eventual 6A-D1 State Finalist Westlake. It was a reminder of how narrow the margin can be at the top of Texas high school football.
Still, the Bears return with talent and experience, especially on the offensive side.
Senior QB Cayden Glass showed poise and versatility in Week 1, going 8-of-12 for 129 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while adding another 48 yards and a rushing score on the ground.
Alongside him, senior running back Micai Thompson — who accounted for nearly 800 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago — remains a reliable option out of the backfield.
Defensively, Brennan appears significantly deeper.
Senior leader Tim Cummings, a hybrid linebacker/defensive back, returns as a unanimous first-team, all-district selection.
Sophomore LB/DB Johnas Brewster made a name for himself in the opener with 16 total tackles and special teams contributions.
He’s joined by a seasoned secondary featuring Ethan Riojas (first-team, all-district), Jaylen Garner (UT-Permian Basin-commit), and junior Aiden Martin, the district’s reigning Defensive Newcomer of the Year. Up front, senior lineman Isiah Tolefree adds physicality in the trenches.
But Brennan’s depth will be tested against one of the state’s most complete teams.
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Smithson Valley enters Thursday’s matchup fresh off a dominant 62-6 win over Roosevelt, and with a championship swagger that comes with their pedigree.
It’s no secret that the Rangers captured the first state title in program history last December, defeating Highland Park (32-20) in the 5A-D1 title game, and head coach Larry Hill has another loaded squad ready to defend that crown.
Junior Ty Knutson leads the way offensively. A 6-foot-3 signal-caller with exceptional instincts and next-level accuracy, Knutson has already drawn interest from TCU, Texas A&M, North Texas, and Texas Tech. Protecting him is senior Aiden Verette, last year’s Offensive Line MVP in District 13-5A-DI.
The Rangers’ defense is just as imposing. Senior edge rusher Hudson Woods, a three-star SMU-commit, returns as the District 13-5A-D1 Defensive MVP, and he’s joined on the front by UTEP-bound defensive tackle Justin Roberts and senior end Caden Lieck.
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In terms of talent and expectation, this Thursday’s game could pass for a playoff preview. For Brennan, it’s a chance to shake up the state landscape. For Smithson Valley, it’s about sustaining excellence — and proving that last season was only the beginning.
With the Fall hitting its stride, San Antonio’s top programs are beginning to separate themselves from the pack.
At the forefront are the O’Connor Panthers, who have surged to No. 1 in the latest regional rankings following a dominant run through tournament play. Sitting at 23-4, O’Connor has combined consistency with high-level execution.
However, the toughest stretch may still lie ahead. Given their loaded district schedule – featuring matchups with Harlan, Brennan, and Taft – the Panthers will face another test, as they look to solidify their spot among the state’s elite.
Harlan (17-4) isn’t far behind. The Hawks continue to build on last year’s strong campaign and appear poised to make another extensive trip through the postseason. Also making noise in Class 6A are Reagan (17-8) and Brennan (15-9), both of whom have played through challenging schedules.
Though Johnson (9-14) is below .500, their early-season record masks the caliber of their opponents—and with a history of doing their best work in September onward, the Jaguars remain a team no one wants to face come playoff time.
In Class 5A, New Braunfels is quickly becoming the region’s breakout story. At 25-5, the Unicorns have asserted themselves as a legitimate state contender, showing both depth and cohesion in key wins. Pieper (16-7) and Boerne-Champion (14-2) are keeping pace, with the latter flying slightly under the radar despite one of the best win percentages in the area.
Meanwhile, Davenport (22-2) continues to dominate the 4A field. The Wolves' combination of experience and balance has made them a near-lock in most matchups and a clear postseason favorite in their classification.
As district play ramps up across all classes, expect further shifts in the pecking order. With multiple teams battle-tested and trending upward, the San Antonio region once again looks ready to produce a number of playoff contenders—and potentially, a few title threats.
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***Second section denotes current record (acquired from MaxPreps as of 8/31/2025)
VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-10 Volleyball Rankings -- Start of September 2025
1. O'Connor Panthers (6A) -- 23-4
2. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 17-4
3. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 25-5
4. Davenport Wolves (4A) -- 22-2
5. Comal Canyon Cougars (6A) -- 17-12
6. SA Reagan Rattlers (6A) -- 17-8
7. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 16-7
8. Boerne-Champion Chargers (5A) -- 14-2
9. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 9-14
10. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 15-9
Others to Watch:
CLASS 6A: Churchill Chargers (6A), , Taft Raiders (6A), Clark Cougars (6A), East Central Hornets (6A), Cibolo Steele Knights (6A)
CLASS 5A: Smithson Valley Rangers (5A), Boerne Greyhounds (5A)
CLASS 4A: La Vernia Bears (4A)
Week 1 of the high school football season brought a wave of convincing wins and eye-opening performances across the San Antonio metroplex, setting an early tone for what could be one of the more competitive years in recent memory.
Cibolo Steele left no doubt about its top spot, dominating Liberty Hill in a 45-10 rout. The Knights showcased a balanced attack and physical defense—qualities that have become synonymous with their program in recent years.
Just behind them, Smithson Valley looked every bit like a contender in the 5A ranks, overwhelming Roosevelt with a 62-6 statement win. The Rangers appear locked in as they aim to make a deeper postseason run this fall.
Brennan picked up perhaps the most battle-tested win of the weekend, grinding out a 21-13 victory over Reagan in a game defined by defense and disciplined execution. It was a measured, veteran-like performance that signals Brennan is ready for another strong year in 6A.
Meanwhile, Harlan lit up the scoreboard in a 48-40 shootout against East Central—an early sign that the Hawks’ offense can go toe-to-toe with anyone in the region.
Elsewhere, Johnson steamrolled Judson in a dominant showing, while Pieper pulled off one of the more significant wins of the week, edging past last year’s 5A Division II state semifinalist Boerne in a tight road contest.
New Braunfels also impressed with a 70-point explosion against Seguin, and Alamo Heights showed grit in a narrow win over Madison.
As the season continues, the San Antonio rankings remain fluid. With several teams flashing early playoff-caliber potential, Week 2 matchups may bring even more separation—or surprises.
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***Last section denotes most recent game result (acquired from MaxPreps as of 9/1/2025)
VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-10 Football Rankings -- WEEK 2 (9/1 - 9/6)
1. Cibolo Steele Knights (6A) -- 1-0 // 45-10 W v. Liberty Hill
2. Smithson Valley Rangers (5A) -- 1-0 // 62-6 W v. SA Roosevelt
3. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 1-0 // 21-13 W v. SA Reagan
4. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 1-0 // 48-40 W v. East Central
5. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 1-0 // 45-7 W v. Judson
6. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 1-0 // 35-28 W v. Boerne
7. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 1-0 // 70-35 W v. Seguin
8. Alamo Heights Mules (5A) -- 1-0 // 35-31 W v. SA Madison
9. SA Reagan Rattlers (6A) -- 0-1 // 13-21 L v. Brennan
10. Boerne Greyhounds (5A) -- 0-1 // 28-35 L v. Pieper
Others to Watch: East Central Hornets (6A), Comal Canyon Cougars (6A), Davenport Wolves (4A), Taft Raiders (6A), Clark Cougars (6A), Boerne-Champion Chargers (5A)
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