The Smithson Valley Silver Spurs perform during New Braunfels game. Photo by Sam Roberts Photography

After a month into the football season, Smithson Valley head coach Larry Hill knows his Rangers are still a work in progress.

However, the Rangers took a big step forward this past week by recovering from a 10-7 loss to Reagan in the District 26-5A opener with a 20-7 victory over New Braunfels.

Avoiding a 0-2 district start makes for a more comfortable setting, but the league grind is just beginning and Hill knows his Rangers (3-1, 1-1) must continue to produce consistent showings.

Smithson Valley looks for that carryover against first-year school Johnson at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Comalander Stadium.

“We might have taken a step forward this week,” Hill said. “We played much better in all phases. Every team is different with different players. It’s a learning curve and as coaches we want to the questions who we are and what our strengths. We’re finding out more each week.

“We feel can play with any team, but we also know we have to bring it every week, because every team is going to come after us.”

The offense did its part with Matt Hilston, Trey Reinhart and Cody Matthews leading an effective running game.

Defensively, Stephen Fox, Ryan Wood, Drake Lawsage, Justin Beck and Luke Hyde held New Braunfels to 170 yards offense, including 26 on the ground.

Fox also played a big role in helping special teams make an impact with a blocked punt that set up Corey Bafidis’ touchdown return for a 7-0 lead in the second period.

Although New Braunfels tied the score at halftime, more defensive and special teams heroics, along with offensive consistency sparked Smithson Valley in the second half.

While the defense controlled the Unicorns, Taylor Cowart kicked field goals of 38 and 31 yards, while Matthews scored on a 21-yard run.

“That was our most solid game overall,” Hill said. We talked about not having impact plays in any phase of the game against Reagan. We had three or four plays of 30 or 40 yards on offense. In the kicking game, we had six impact plays where we scored a touchdown and two field goals.

“We also kept New Braunfels pinned up with our kicks. On defense we created turnovers and played better on third. The kids really took it to heart.”