GAMES
RANKINGS
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.
…
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.
…
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.
…
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.
The 2024 UIL 5A-D1 State Champions -- Smithson Valley Rangers
THE HIERARCHY: VYPE SATX 2025 Preseason Football Rankings; Steele, SV, Brennan kickoff our Top-10
As summer fades and anticipation builds across the city, the San Antonio high school football scene is once again shaping up to be one of the most competitive in Texas. With a blend of established contenders and fast-rising challengers, the region enters the 2025 season with several teams eyeing not just deep playoff runs—but championship gold.
According to the latest San Antonio preseason outlook, Cibolo Steele leads the charge. The Knights are coming off an impressive 11-2 finish and a trip to the 6A Division II Regional Semifinals. With their signature physicality and returning experience, Steele appears primed to take another step forward this fall.
In Class 5A, defending state champion Smithson Valley holds a firm grip on expectations after closing out a dominant 14-2 campaign in 2024. The Rangers’ well-rounded roster and exemplary postseason delivery make them the benchmark for the rest of the region’s 5A programs.
Depth in Class 6A continues to be a strong-suit of the area. Brennan and Johnson both finished with 10-win seasons and advanced to the area round, while Harlan emerged as a serious threat with a 12-2 run to the 6A-D2 Region IV Final. East Central, fresh off a regional semifinal appearance, adds even more intrigue to a crowded top tier.
Meanwhile, the 5A landscape remains loaded. Pieper and Alamo Heights each notched 12- and 11-win seasons, respectively, and are expected to reload rather than rebuild. Boerne made a notable State Semis appearance in 5A-D2, and New Braunfels reached the regional round in Division I—both programs with the talent and coaching to disrupt the pecking order once again.
With seasoned programs returning hungry and younger squads closing the gap, San Antonio’s path to State contention is wide open—and all signs point to another fall filled with Friday night fireworks.
...
VYPE San Antonio Combined (6A-4A) Top-10 Football Rankings -- 2025 PRESEASON
***Second section denotes 2024 result
1. Cibolo Steele Knights (6A) -- 11-2 // 6A-D2 Regional Semifinalists
2. Smithson Valley Rangers (5A) -- 14-2 // UIL 5A-D1 State Champions*
3. Brennan Bears (6A) -- 10-2 // 6A-D1 Area Finalists
4. Harlan Hawks (6A) -- 12-2 // 6A-D2 Region 4 Finalists
5. Pieper Warriors (5A) -- 11-1 // 5A-D1 Area Finalists
6. Alamo Heights Mules (5A) -- 12-1 // 5A-D2 Regional Semifinalists
7. SA Johnson Jaguars (6A) -- 10-2 // 6A-D1 Area Finalists
8. East Central Hornets (6A) -- 9-4 // 6A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
9. New Braunfels Unicorns (5A) -- 9-4 // 5A-D1 Regional Semifinalists
10. Boerne Greyhounds (5A) -- 11-4 // UIL 5A-D2 State Semifinalists*
Others to Watch: Comal Canyon Cougars (6A), Sotomayor Wildcats (6A), Churchill Chargers (6A), Clark Cougars (6A), Taft Raiders (6A), Seguin Matadors (5A), Jay Mustangs (5A), Davenport Wolves (4A)