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VYPE SATX Football Game of the Week: Smithson Valley vs. Pieper (Wk. 5)
The 2023 UIL-5A-D1 State Finalists, Smithson Valley, responded to their Week 2 loss against Brennan by absolutely trouncing Madison (65-0) and Boerne-Champion (42-10), bringing their record to 3-1.
After securing a first-team, all-district nod a year ago, senior running back Bradley Sowersby has picked up right where he left off, as he has now become the focal point of coach Larry Hill's offense.
Despite the fact that a large of their offensive production has since graduated, the Rangers have maintained a steady influx of points on a weekly basis, evidenced by the team's 41-point average.
That could also be a result of their stifling defense, which has held opponents to just under 9 points a game, which is always a recipe for success.
Unanimous first-teamer Cade Spradling (Sr. LB) commands the group and only seems to be improving on his monster 2023 campaign.
He is complemented by the talents of Hudson Woods (Jr. DL/first-team) and District 12-5A-Defensive Newcomer of the Year Parker Moeller (Sr. DB).
However, there are few teams hotter on the San Antonio-area gridiron than Pieper, entering the fifth week of the season.
Under the direction of coach Nick Rogers, the Warriors have surged to a 4-0 start, most recently toppling a formidable district opponent in SA Wagner, by the score of 35-21.
Offensive has been the team's calling card thus far, primarily through the passing game.
Senior WR Isaiah Champagne is the top target for senior signal-caller Cayden Keeth, as the pair have connected for nearly 350 yards and five scores to begin the Fall.
That doesn't mean Keeth (1148 passing yards/13 combined TDs) hasn't spread the wealth among his other weapons.
Andrew Grinestaff (Jr. WR) has registered over 200 yards through the air, while junior RB Brady Hopper has 358 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns to his name.
On the other side of the ball, returning first-team, all-district selections Jackson Hopper (Sr. DB) and Raja Lopez (Jr. DB) have been holding down the secondary for the Warriors, with junior Bennett King currently leading the team in tackles (42).
Furthermore, Laiton Springer (So. LB), Kylor Scheppler (Sr. LB), and Thor Myklebust (Jr. DL) have played pivotal roles as well.
The victor of this decisive battle might very well end up claiming the district title in the coming months.
Don't miss out when these two power-houses face off at Warrior Coliseum this Friday (9/27) at 7:00 pm.
COACH SPEAK: Smithson Valley's Hill talks fishing, building a super-program
For over 30 years, coach Larry Hill has made Smithson Valley a household name across the state of Texas as it relates to high school football.
He is the face of San Antonio's most elite pigskin program. The Rangers are coming off a State Final appearance and are looking for that coveted State Ring in 2024.
VYPE's Matt Malatesta caught up with the living legend on the eve of the upcoming season.