Smithson Valley tops Port Arthur Memorial in Texas high school football Class 5A D1 semifinal: Live score recap

The Rangers strong second half send them to the championship game

Smithson Valley takes the field in the 2024 Class 5A D1 championship against Highland Park. / Tommy Hays

The Smithson Valley Rangers (14-1) defeated the Port Arthur Memorial Titans (14-1) 31-28 in the UIL Class 5A Division 1 semifinals on Friday.

The Rangers outscored the Titans 21-7 in the second half after their offense did not muster a touchdown in the first half. Junior quarterback Ty Knutson threw two touchdown passes, and
Caleb Peagler ran for a touchdown.

Smithson Valley's first half touchdown came via special teams. Noah Johnson muffed the kickoff reception and the ball bounced forward, but he recovered it in stride and ran all the way for a touchdown.

Smithson Valley will play Aledo or Lone Star in the championship game on December 19 at 7 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Top Players

Smithson Valley

• Hudson Woods, Sr., EDGE - 3-star signed to SMU
• Justin Roberts, Sr., DL - 3-star committed to UTEP

Port Arthur Memorial

• Tank King, Sr., LB - 4-star signed to Texas A&M
• Amante Martin, Sr., RB - 3-star signed to TCU
• Keavon Roberts, Sr., WR - 4-star signed to Houston
• Brock King, Sr., CB - 3-star signed to TCU

Smithson Valley tops Port Arthur Memorial in Texas high school football Class 5A D1 semifinal: Live score recap

First Quarter Updates

Smithson Valley kicks the ball out of bounds on the opening kickoff, so Port Arthur will start at its 40-yard line.

TOUCHDOWN PORT ARTHUR! Quarterback Amante Martin hits wide receiver Keavon Roberts in stride in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to finish a 60-yard drive - Port Arthur 7, Smithson Valley 0 - 6:18 1Q

TOUCDHOWN SMITHSON VALLEY! Kick returner Noah Johnson fumbled the kickoff, but the ball bounced back to him, and he took off running and made it all the way to the end zone - Port Arthur 7, Smithson Valley 7 - 6:06 1Q

Port Arthur continues to keep its drive alive on third down. They convert on 3rd-and-1 with a run from Martin to get the Titans into the red zone - 1:45 1Q

TOUCHDOWN PORT ARTHUR! Sophomore Alex Eugene runs for a 4-yard touchdown. He went untouched around the offensive line and into the end zone - Port Arthur 14, Smithson Valley 7 - 0:02 1Q

END OF FIRST QUARTER: Port Arthur Memorial 14, Smithson Valley 7

Second Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN PORT ARTHUR! Eugene runs for a 75-yard touchdown. He followed his blocks and then sped away for the long touchdown - Port Arthur 21, Smithson Valley 7 - 8:41 2Q

INTERCEPTION BY PORT ARTHUR! Junior Shies Harrison caught a deflection while Smithson Valley was close to the red zone. The Titans will take over with two minutes remaining in the first half.

FIELD GOAL SMITHSON VALLEY! The Rangers hit a 39-yard field goal as time expires.

HALFTIME: Port Arthur Memorial 21, Smithson Valley 10

Teams are back on the field for the second half.

Third Quarter Updates

Smithson Valley returns the kickoff to midfield to start the second half.

TOUCHDOWN SMITHSON VALLEY! Junior Hunter Haug catches a 30-yard touchdown pass in the end zone. The Rangers offense comes out of halftime with the drive it needed - Port Arthur 21, Smithson Valley 17 - 9:36 3Q

TOUCHDOWN SMITHSON VALLEY! The Rangers offense is hot to start the second half. Sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Regge catches a pass over a defender in the end zone - Smithson Valley 24, Port Arthur 21 - 2:59 3Q

END OF THIRD QUARTER: Smithson Valley 24, Port Arthur Memorial 21

Fourth Quarter Updates

TOUCHDOWN SMITHSON VALLEY! Junior running back Caleb Peagler runs for a 1-yard touchdown. This game has completely changed in just over one quarter - Smithson Valley 31, Port Arthur Memorial 21 - 10:35 4Q

TURNOVER BY SMITHSON VALLEY! The Rangers long snapper snaps the ball into the legs of a blocker, and the Titans fall on the ball. They'll start a drive near the red zone - 6:30 4Q

TOUCHDOWN PORT ARTHUR! Martin capitalizes on the turnover with a short run up the middle for a touchdown - Smithson Valley 31, Port Arthur Memorial 28 - 5:33 4Q

Freshman Schaeden Davis catches a critical pass on third down to keep Smithson Valley's drive alive - 3:30 4Q

On 4th-and-7, Smithson Valley punts at midfield, and Port Arthur will start a drive at the 12-yard line with 1:08 remaining.

Port Arthur throws an interception on a Hail Mary.

FINAL: Smithson Valley 31, Port Arthur Memorial 28

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