Smithson Valley High School

History

Smithson Valley High School was established in 1976 and was named after Benjamin Smithson, who was one of the first Texas Rangers, and an early settler in the area.

In 2007, some students were sent to the new Canyon Lake High School. Before the split, Smithson Valley's student enrollment reached as high as 2,500 students.

The enrollment for the 2021-22 school year was 2,584. As of that time, 15% of students were economically disadvantaged. 56.1% of students enrolled as of the 2021-22 school year were Caucasian, 35.2% Hispanic, 2.7% African American, and 6% other. The ratio of male to female students was 1:1 as of 2023. There was a student-to-teacher ratio of sixteen to one compared to the Texas average of twelve to one. 98% of enrolled students graduate in 2023.

After Pieper High School opened, enrollment at Smithson Valley was reduced.

Athletics

The Smithson Valley Rangers compete in a variety of sports. The school is part of District 12-5A. The football team has reached the UIL state championship game multiple times, including runner-up finishes in 2001 (5A Division II), 2002 (5A Division II), 2004 (5A Division II), and 2005 (5A Division I), and won back-to-back Class 5A Division I state championships in 2024 and 2025 under head coach Larry Hill, who has led the program since 1993. Smithson Valley also offers club lacrosse, band, dance team, cheerleading, NJROTC, FFA, National Forensic League, and foreign language clubs along with several interest clubs.

State Titles

• Softball
  • 2001(4A), 2009(5A), 2012(4A)
• Academic Decathlon
  • 1991 (Small Schools Division)
• Girl's Track & Field
  • 2023(5A)
• Boys Golf
  • 2024(5A)
• Girls Cross Country
  • 2024(5A)
• Football
  • 2024 (5A Division I)
  • 2025 (5A Division I)

Notable alumni

• Eryk Anders, Cleveland Browns practice squad, professional Mixed Martial Artist, currently in the UFC's Middleweight Division
• Corey Clark, NFL, San Diego Chargers
• Logan Cunningham, 2016 Olympic pole vaulter
• Jack Gibbens, current football linebacker for the New England Patriots
• Jason LaRue, former MLB catcher, Cincinnati Reds (1999–2006), Kansas City Royals (2007) and St. Louis Cardinals (2008–2010)
• Trevon Moehrig, defensive back at TCU, Jim Thorpe Award winner (2020), defensive back with the Las Vegas Raiders
• Trey Moore, college football player, defensive end for the Texas Longhorns
• Joe Pawelek, former football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks (2010)
• Zac Reininger, former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers (2017—2019)
• Andrew Sendejo, former NFL player, safety
• Levi Williams, former college football quarterback for the Wyoming Cowboys and Utah State Aggies

References

References

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2. "SMITHSON VALLEY H S". National Center for Education Statistics.
3. "Secondary Schools".
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11. (26 June 2023). "Smithson Valley High School Profile - New Braunfels, Texas (TX)".
12. Hinojosa, David. (2021-12-08). "Smithson Valley, MacArthur and Wagner moved down to Class 5A". [[San Antonio Express-News]].
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21. (December 20, 2025). "Smithson Valley football routs Frisco Lone Star in state title game". San Antonio Express-News.
22. (14 September 2018). "Eryk Anders | UFC".
23. (2019-01-29). "Wyoming Cowboys add Texas high school QB Levi Williams".