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RANKINGS
THE DEFINING 80: UIL Girls Soccer 2025-26 State Final Preview -- Walnut Grove vs. Smithson Valley (5A D1)
UIL Girls Soccer State Championship // 5A Division 1
Walnut Grove Wildcats vs. Smithson Valley Rangers
WHEN: Friday, April 10th (4/10) -- 11:00 AM
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WALNUT GROVE WILDCATS
It’s clearly a banner year to be a Wildcat, as both the girls and boys programs at Walnut Grove advanced to the title game this past week. While the stage is a familiar one for the boys—the defending 5A Division 1 champions—Friday will mark the girls’ first-ever State Final appearance under head coach Nikki Marshall.
Walnut Grove (23-2-1) extended its historic playoff run with a gritty 2–0 victory over Centennial last Friday, fueled by a series of decisive moments from junior goalkeeper Finley Pike. Pike, a Brown commit, delivered back-to-back saves on a Centennial penalty kick, preserving the shutout and shifting momentum in the Wildcats’ favor.
WGHS is just as dangerous on the attack, led by freshman phenom Brynlie Ward alongside last year’s District 9-5A Offensive MVP Maya Nohr, Utility MVP Ellery Robson (Oregon State commit), and junior midfielder Ava Kim.
The boys captured the title last season—who’s to say the girls can’t carve out their own place in the UIL record books?

SMITHSON VALLEY RANGERS
Meanwhile, Smithson Valley earned a measure of revenge last week, defeating A&M Consolidated 2–0 to eliminate the same team that ended its season in last year’s State Semifinals. In doing so, head coach Jason Adkins and the Rangers improved to a perfect 28–0 this spring and now have the opportunity to secure the program’s first state championship—potentially capping an undefeated season.
Depth and dependability remain the calling cards for Smithson Valley, highlighted by the versatile presence of Abilene Christian-bound senior forward Addison Briscoe, along with Peyton Cox, Alondra Sanchez, Izzy Sutherland (Gonzaga), and senior midfielder Morgan Heintz, who is committed to Incarnate Word.

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.































