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VYPE SATX Football Game of the Week Preview: Brennan vs. Smithson Valley (Week 2)
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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BRENNAN
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
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.
TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN: Brennan Hoops continues to bolster exemplary reputation
With roughly a month remaining in the UIL basketball regular season, the Brennan Bears are proving to be one of the most formidable teams in Texas.
Not only have they secured the top spot in San Antonio's rankings, but they have also earned recognition from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) as the No. 1 team in all of Class 6A.
With a stellar 21-2 record, it’s clear that Brennan’s success this season is no fluke. The team has demonstrated remarkable skill, resilience, and consistency, earning respect from both local and statewide opponents.
Under the leadership of Coach Koty Cowgill, Brennan has faced and triumphed over some of the toughest competition in Texas.
Early in the season, they opened with an impressive victory over the 2024 TAPPS-3A champions, St. Francis Episcopal, dominating the game 82-48. Their competitive spirit continued throughout the season as they outworked Fort Bend Marshall, a 5A powerhouse, securing a 66-57 win.
Perhaps most notably, the Bears handed Allen (22-1), a state superpower, their only loss of the season in a thrilling 71-66 overtime win.
Fast forward to the present, and Brennan sits in a commanding position for a district title with a perfect 8-0 record against their 28-6A opponents.
This success is largely due to the standout performances of their senior duo, Kingston Flemings and Camden Cowgill, who have been the team’s driving forces.
Flemings, a five-star point guard and University of Houston signee, has been a constant on both ends of the floor, averaging 21 points, 7 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals per game. His leadership and playmaking ability make him a true difference-maker.
Cowgill, who is drawing attention from several colleges including Sam Houston State, Cal Poly, and Coastal Carolina, has proven to be a dynamic complement to Flemings. Averaging 18 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds per game, Cowgill brings both scoring and versatility to the Bears’ lineup.
In addition to these two stars, juniors Donovan Criss (11 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg) and Talon Todd (8 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) have stepped up, providing critical support and depth to the team.
With such a balanced roster and the momentum they’ve built, the Bears are in a strong position as the playoffs approach.
Historically, Brennan has reached the state level twice, with their most recent appearance in 2023 when they narrowly lost to Beaumont United in the 6A State Semifinals, 70-68.
After making a deep run to the regional semifinals last year, this talented group of Bears appears poised to make another significant postseason run. The road to the state title is wide open, and Brennan is a team to watch as they look to bring home the championship this season.
Stay tuned for what’s sure to be an exciting finish to the year.