Chandler Fuller delivers a moving performance of the national anthem. Fuller is a Smithson Valley freshman and the daughter of Cody Fuller, who tragically passed away earlier this week.
Sawyer Robertson (0.9392) is the second-highest ranked Baylor QB ever, behind only Jarrett Stidham (0.9830), per the 247 Sports Composite.
Robertson would also be the No. 8-ranked Baylor recruit overall, regardless of position, between Corey Coleman and Andrew Billings.
Baylor PG RayJ Dennis just did all of this in 1:03:
RayJ Dennis assist
RayJ Dennis defensive rebound
RayJ Dennis made jumper
RayJ Dennis steal
RayJ Dennis dunk
RayJ Dennis steal
RayJ Dennis dunk
8-0 RayJ Dennis run. Evolution.
Really cool scene here in San Antonio, as Smithson Valley and Reagan are both wearing No. 25 in honor of Cody Fuller. Fuller, a former Ranger baseball player, tragically passed away this week after being diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in March.
RANGERS WALK IT OFF IN EXTRAS!
Ethan Gonzalez knocks a base hit into the outfield to bring home Kasen Wells, the go-ahead runner. SV will advance to Round 4 to play the winner of Eagle Pass and La Joya.
FINAL: Smithson Valley 6, Reagan 5 (8)
@valleyventana
Baseball: Smithson Valley 7, Westlake 6 (12) (FINAL)
David DeHoyos delivers the walk-off hit to bring the marathon Game 2 to a close. The teams will play a win-or-go-home Game 3 tomorrow at Dripping Springs at noon.
Baseball: Smithson Valley 5, Westlake 4 (FINAL)
The Rangers overcome a last-play error to throw out a Chaparral runner at second and secure a spot in the third round for the second straight season.
Dave Aranda says he was "so disappointed" watching the game film from Baylor's loss to K-State. Says there is "so much to learn from, and so much to be improved." Also acknowledged how much the Baylor fandom showed out on Saturday.
And now, my time with the Valley Ventana has officially come to a close. I’m so grateful to God and everyone else who supported me along the way; I couldn’t have made it this far without y’all.
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord.” - Jer. 29-11A
With tonight’s 3-2 loss to Reagan in the books, so too is Smithson Valley’s baseball season. In their final season before dropping to Class 5A, the Rangers finished 28-7, winning a district title and two playoff series along the way.
“RANGERS WE WILL BE!”
An emotional win for Smithson Valley, as the Rangers book their ticket to the state championship game for the first time since 2004.
#TXHSFB
If I told you before tonight's game...
- Sawyer Robertson goes 17/19, 248 total yards, TD
- Richard Reese had two kick return TDs
- WVU only scored once in the second half
- Zero turnovers
... you would assume Baylor somehow still lost. And you'd be right.
FINAL: WVU 34, BU 31
Big news from a star freshman. Williams switched to STAR midseason and immediately upgraded Baylor's defense. With such an early start to his development curve, keep an eye on his growth next season – it could be a big breakout year.
There’s been a lot of Blake Shapen discourse over the years. From setting records in the Big 12 Championship Game to hearing “We Want Sawyer” chants this year, he’s seen the full gamut of fan reactions.
But he always left it all on the field. And for that, we should be grateful.
Former Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen (
@BShapen
)has committed to Mississippi State, he tells ESPN. Shapen started 23 games for the Bears over three seasons and has thrown for 5,574 career yards and 36 career touchdowns.
New Baylor QB Dequan Finn against Ohio State (2022)
223 total yards, 3 TD, INT
In two career starts against Power 5 teams, Finn has completed 54.5% of his passes for 528 total yards, 6 TD and 2 INT.
#SicEm
Dave Aranda will enter Year 5 with his third offensive coordinator, third defensive coordinator, nine straight home losses to FBS opponents, one bowl win in four years and a sub-.500 record overall. Baylor is 1-12 against FBS teams with winning records since 2022.
#SicEm
…?
Half an hour before the Revivalry kicks off, star freshman CB Caden Jenkins announces that he’s coming back to Baylor.
Massive news for the Bears, who’ve leaned on his big-play ability all season long.
#SicEm
Baylor commit Adam Schobel is shooting up the recruiting rankings in the midst of an undefeated senior season at 4A-1 Columbus HS. The Top247 now has him as the top QB and No. 30 overall player in Texas, one spot above TCU commit QB Ty Hawkins.
#SicEm
A heartbreaking loss. Cody’s impact on the community cannot be understated and will not soon be forgotten. Please pray for the Fuller family, that they would be given strength and peace in this time.
#LLCF
🕊
Huge. Great move. This is the right hire.
Spavital has Texas experience as TXST's HC and A&M's OC (remember Kenny Trill?). He spent this season at Cal, elevating that offense from 96th in the country to 40th (23.9 to 31.6 PPG). Probably the best hire Baylor could've made.
#SicEm
Over five hours ago, a group of Baylor students gathered to worship in Elliston Chapel.
It’s 2:34 a.m., and they’re still going.
The meeting, which was scheduled to end at 10 p.m. last night, has been marked by joy, prayer, and calls to repentance.
With tonight’s 3-2 loss to Reagan in the books, so too is Smithson Valley’s baseball season. In their final season before dropping to Class 5A, the Rangers finished 28-7, winning a district title and two playoff series along the way.
Former Baylor star Jeremy Sochan just scored 12 straight for the Spurs ... 👀
Sochan has 17pts, 5reb, 6ast and is a +5 in 29 minutes. Spurs trail the Clippers by seven.
#SicEm
Bryson Jackson on his Baylor career ending:
"It hits hard, it really didn't hit me till the clock hit zero." Says he's grown a lot at Baylor, and he's "forever grateful" for "everybody at this university and all my experiences and moments."
Baylor fans' five stages of grief, Novosad edition
Denial: crystal balls are wrong all the time!
Anger: how could he leave us???
Bargaining: what if we get him a show on the magnolia network? 👀
depression: he's probably an hgtv man 😔
acceptance: *slides into hudson card's dms*
I do want to say this on Dave Aranda:
If there’s any coach in America who’s proven to be willing to completely overhaul everything and start from scratch, it’s him.
Will it work? Probably not – but that “probably” is important. Unbridled pessimism is too far. Just my two cents.
Baseball: Smithson Valley 3, Los Fresnos 2 (FINAL)
In the top of the seventh inning, Tim Arguello singled home Ryan Ruff, the go-ahead runner, sending the Rangers to the state tournament in Round Rock for the first time since 2005.
@valleyventana
Richard Reese was in the backfield for the first play of the game, as has become the norm the past few weeks even as his usage has trailed off.
Jeff Grimes' recent usage (or lack thereof) of the former Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year is baffling.
Taking a look at how every team utilizes the 3 ball in college hoops⬇️
🟢 Shoot a lot, make a lot. Keep it up
🔴 Overusing their inefficient 3 ball
🟡 Can't shoot & they know it
🟠 Room to shoot more (within right context)
Ridiculous, hilarious talent. I figured he'd be starting by the end of the regular season, but that seems so conservative now. Baylor found another stud.
Ayo! Your boy just won state titles in Headlines and Sports Column writing! I also earned Honorable Mention awards in Sports Feature, Personal Column, and Sports Column writing.
Big thanks to Mrs. Ed for all her help and guidance over the past four years. 😁
Crazy stat: Baylor rushed 30 times for 17 yards (0.6 AVG) tonight against Texas Tech. It's just the third sub-100-yd performance of the Jeff Grimes era, and the Bears' worst rushing performance since Bryce Petty was sacked six times in the 2015 Cotton Bowl against Michigan State.
An underrated reason for Baylor football's struggles: the transition 2020 recruiting class between Matt Rhule and Dave Aranda.
That class should be seniors right now. But 12 of 18 signees have left the program, including the top five. Only four are still starting for the Bears.
Richard Reese, asked about his smaller role this year, mentioned coaching and depth as playing roles.
"Last year I had success, but this year we had a lot of new people come in ... It didn't faze me, but I just stuck with the process and kept moving with it."
#SicEm
Dave Aranda on why fans shouldn't give up on him:
"There's a great group of freshman & sophomore players, very talented, and (we're) working very hard to retain them. Right now they're being recruited ... I think their connections w the team and .. w me are gonna be part of it."
Caden Jenkins leads Baylor with three INTs, the only player on the team with more than one. He's 5th in tackles and T-3rd in PBUs. One of the few bright spots on a struggling defense.
In other words: a foundational building block of this roster. You can't lose him.
Baylor targeted Chandler Rogers last offseason before Sawyer Robertson entered the transfer portal. Rogers ultimately settled on North Texas.
Notably, he was also recruited by a third school last offseason: the Cal Golden Bears, led by new Baylor OC Jake Spavital. 👀👀👀
#SicEm
North Texas QB Chandler Rogers has entered the portal as a grad transfer,
@TheAthletic
has learned.
Rogers ranked 2nd in the AAC in passing with 3,382 yards, 33 total TDs and 5 INTs in his first season at UNT. Former ULM transfer.
FINAL: Smithson Valley 13, Eagle Pass 6
After a storm delayed the game’s final 1 1/3 innings, Hodges Ks Elizondo swinging to close out the series. The Rangers will advance to play Los Fresnos in the region finals, their first Elite Eight appearance since 2005.
@valleyventana
Most P5 scholarship players in the transfer portal so far in this 2022-23 cycle
1. Texas A&M 24
2. Florida 22
3. Arkansas 21
4. Arizona 20
5. Miami 18
Average among P5 so far is 10.4 entries per school.
Ballgame.
Ryan Ruff throws out Mendoza at second to secure a game one victory, and Dylan Domel’s first career save.
FINAL: Smithson Valley 4, Eagle Pass 2
Another crazy Baylor stat: Since the start of 2022, the Bears are 7-2 when Richard Reese scores a touchdown. They're 1-8 when he doesn't.
Saturday's win over UCF marked the FIRST TIME Baylor has won a game without a Richard Reese touchdown in the past two years.
#SicEm
Fitting that Blake Shapen's final snap for Baylor was gritting it out at the end of a blowout.
Nothing but respect – he's a record-setting championship winner who always stepped up when the team needed him. Hope he finds a landing spot where he's better set up for success.
Baylor QB Blake Shapen (
@BShapen
) tells ESPN that he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He has at least one of eligibility remaining and will be immediately eligible. He started 23 games for the Bears and is looking to compete for a starting job at a winning program.
My two biggest takeaways from Jake Spavital's press conference:
1) This offense will be fun. Lotta tempo & deep shots. (Will it be good? Who knows.)
2) He's trying to make things right w the THSCA after barely recruiting HS players at TXST. Shouted out TXHSFB *several* times.
Top uncommitted QBs in the portal:
- Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina
- DJ Uigalelei, Clemson
- Hudson Card, Texas
- Brennan Armstrong, Virginia
- Luke Altmeyer, Ole Miss
- Malik Hornsby, Arkansas
- Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State
- Kedon Slovis, Pitt
- Hank Bachmeier, Boise St.
With Dequan Finn officially visiting Baylor today, a reminder that he’s been one of the best dual-threat QBs in the country over the past three seasons:
Here's an *insane* stat:
Toledo QB Dequan Finn is the ONLY FBS player with at 18+ passing TDs and 7+ rushing TDs in each of the past three seasons.
The only four players to reach that mark in the past two years: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jordan Travis and Dequan Finn.
#SicEm
Baseball: Smithson Valley 2, Churchill 0 (FINAL)
Arguello (W) 5.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 SO, WP, 2 HBP; 0/2, BB, K
Gonzalez 1/2, 2B, BB
K Wells 2/3, 2 SB
Rangers take a 1-0 series lead on the Chargers. Game 2 will start at noon tomorrow, with Game 3 to follow if necessary.
District 27-6A football, widely expected to win two or three games this week, swept District 28-6A in this week’s Bi-District playoffs:
Steele 42, Brandeis 14
Smithson Valley 35, Madison 25
New Braunfels 51, Johnson 45
East Central 14, Reagan 7
Baseball: Smithson Valley 15, Steele 2 (5) (FINAL)
Elizondo (W) 4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, ER, 3 BB, 10 SO, 3 WP, HBP
K Wells 2/3, 2 HR, K, 2 RBI, 3 R, HBP
C Hansen 1/2, HR, BB, 5 RBI, 2 R
Cade Hansen hits walk-off grand slam to run-rule Steele in regular season finale
Baylor WR Monaray Baldwin announces that he'll be back in 2024.
Baldwin, a junior from Killeen Shoemaker, has led the Bears in receiving yards the past two seasons. He's the only Baylor player with multiple 500-yard receiving seasons in the Dave Aranda era.
#SicEm
Scott Drew: "The highlight was Austin Sacks, after three years, finally got a bucket."
Says the "bench gets the assist" after audibling the sideline call to get him the ball.
In six full seasons as a play-calling OC, new Baylor OC Jake Spavital is averaging 34.4 points per game.
- Cal: 31.6 PPG
- West Virginia: 34.5, 40.2 PPG
- Cal: 37.1 PPG
- Texas A&M: 35.2, 27.8 PPG
The Bears scored 23.1 PPG this season. They haven't hit 34.4+ since 2016.
#SicEm
I love what I do, not just because I’m writing about sports, but because of the people and stories I get to cover.
Thank you for the support, it really means a lot. On to Eagle Pass!
@ByJacksonPosey
supports sports as a HS writer like I’ve never seen. We hope you reach all your dreams! You have worked hard and done well. Thank you for all you do!
Kasen Wells (
@kasenwells11
) is on fire to start his senior season, slashing .679/.757/1.036 through 11 games.
(Full line: 19/28, 3 2B, 2 3B, HR, 7 BB, 9 RBI, 17 R, 8/8 SB)
Wells, a Texas A&M signee, has played a key role in Smithson Valley’s 9-2 start this season.
Syracuse LB Leon Lowery Jr. earns a transfer offer to Baylor.
Across the past two seasons, the fourth-year sophomore has recorded 71 tackles, 13.5 TFLs and 5 sacks. Lowery also holds offers to Wisconsin, Oregon State and Houston.
#SicEm
Mack Rhoades today on NIL: "The balancing of all this is where I really value Dave having an analytical mind."
Aranda last week: "Probably one of the main problems with (NIL) has probably been me. One of the things that has always been a struggle is the way to balance it."
Here's an *insane* stat:
Toledo QB Dequan Finn is the ONLY FBS player with at 18+ passing TDs and 7+ rushing TDs in each of the past three seasons.
The only four players to reach that mark in the past two years: Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jordan Travis and Dequan Finn.
#SicEm
Richard Reese on the two kickoff return TDs:
"It was awesome. I mean, practice makes perfect – we give it our all in practice and we apply it to the field."