Although Smithson Valley had to wait an extra week to begin its 2026 season, the Rangers did not miss a beat.
Smithson Valley defeated Sotomayor 47-14 Thursday night at Farris Stadium in the Rangers’ first game of the season. Smithson Valley was originally supposed to host Katy Cinco Ranch last Friday, but weather delays forced the contest to be canceled.
“It feels great just to be back with the team,” Smithson Valley senior quarterback Ty Knutson said. “Obviously, our game got canceled last week and we just wanted to be out here.”
Knutson led Smithson Valley to a state title last year, the Rangers’ second straight championship.
“I’m glad to start this new journey with this group of guys,” the Texas Longhorns commit said.
Smithson Valley jumped out to an early lead when senior running back and linebacker Caleb Peagler rushed into the end zone for a 4-yard touchdown with 5:08 to play in the first quarter. It was the first of four touchdowns for Peagler, who scored all of his points in the first half.
“It was special,” Knutson said of Peagler’s season-opening performance. “They were playing off coverage on defense, so he kept running the ball. He was doing his thing.”
Peagler recorded 84 yards on 14 carries to finish his night. His longest touchdown run of the night was 18 yards.
After halftime, Smithson Valley’s other offensive weapons got involved. Junior running back and linebacker Gunnar Shoquist rushed into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown with 6:50 left to play in the third quarter.
Sophomore wide receiver and cornerback Schaeden Davis hauled in an 85-yard pass from Knutson for the Rangers’ first official passing touchdown of the season with 2:12 remaining in the third quarter. Davis led Smithson Valley’s receivers with 110 yards on three catches. Senior and Texas Tech commit Hunter Haug also hauled in five catches for 64 yards.
“I just think I did what I needed to do,” said Knutson, who threw for 219 yards on 11-of-14 passing. “I don’t think I did anything special, and I don’t think I’m there to do anything special. Just keep the offense running, that’s the main thing.”
Smithson Valley’s Schaeden Davis moves the ball down the field during the third quarter of a football game. Against Sotomayor on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Farris Stadium in San Antonio. (Charlie Blalock/For the Express-News)
Smithson Valley scored one more time in the final quarter with senior running back Rennix Vizurraga scampering into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown.
Sotomayor avoided the shutout when senior wide receiver and running back Xavier Victor rushed for a 3-yard touchdown with 8:49 left to play. Sotomayor senior running back Christopher Rodriguez evaded defenders to record a 33-yard rushing touchdown with 1:12 remaining in the contest.
Wildcats senior running back Cameron Grady made his season debut against the Rangers, rushing for 48 yards on 10 carries. Grady missed Sotomayor’s season opener after he was charged with aggravated robbery in July.
Smithson Valley hosts Austin McCallum next Friday in its final non-district game. Sotomayor faces Holmes at Gustafson Stadium next Friday to begin District 29-6A play.
The Rangers have eight regular season games to play and long playoff march after that, but the opportunity for three state titles looms even early in the season.
“We know it’s going to be hard, especially to three-peat,” Knutson said. “Every day we’re working hard at practice, and we’re ready for every day.”
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