GAMES
RANKINGS
THE DEFINING 80: UIL Boys Soccer 2025-26 State Final Preview -- Wakeland vs. Pieper (5A D2)
WHERE: Birkelbach Field -- Georgetown, TX
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WAKELAND WOLVERINES
Wakeland has seemingly made Georgetown its home away from home, as Friday will mark the ninth time the Wolverines compete for a UIL crown. Last week also marked the team’s tenth appearance in the State Tournament, a testament to the deep-rooted soccer culture that has helped to define Wakeland since the school opened in 2006.
Setting history aside, head coach Andy Holt and his squad now turn their focus to Pieper—the final obstacle standing between them and a sixth state championship, as well as their first banner since 2022.
Boasting a 26-1-1 record, the Wolverines feature one of the most high-octane midfield cores in Texas, led by seniors Waleed Hadj-Hamou and Cameron Warner, alongside junior Axel Alvarado. Up front, senior striker DJ Summons adds another dynamic element to Wakeland’s already potent attack.
PIEPER WARRIORS
Groundbreaking is one of the few ways to describe Pieper’s unprecedented 20-2-5 campaign this winter. After a 1–1 draw that went to a tense penalty shootout, the Warriors edged Austin LASA 4–3 last Friday, securing their long-awaited UIL State Final debut and riding a wave of peak momentum.
Seniors Blake Dildy and Nolan Masker were pivotal in the decisive penalties. Dildy, the team’s captain and leading midfield scorer, converted the game-winning kick, while Masker made two crucial saves to give the Warriors the edge.
Beyond the semifinal triumph, coach Corwyn Ritch has relied on an exceptionally balanced starting 11, featuring the talents of juniors Landon Villarreal (MF), Dominic Tondre (MF/F), Jack Blische (F), and Jackson Blankenship (MF).
THE DEFINING 80: UIL Girls Soccer 2025-26 State Final Preview -- Walnut Grove vs. Smithson Valley (5A D1)
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.
