<\/p>\n
Players celebrate after Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop scored a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
The thunderstorm that made its way through the San Antonio area wasn\u2019t the only semblance of lightning at\u00a0Pieper Warrior Stadium on Friday night.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights scored on its first two possessions and the Mules\u2019 quick-strike offense was only slowed by a three-hour weather delay in a 43-14 victory over\u00a0Pieper in their season opener.<\/p>\n
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Quarterback Easton Stone and receiver Charlie Mitchell sparked the Mules as they connected for three touchdowns. Stone threw for 190 yards and four scores, with Mitchell catching scoring passes of 24, 25 and 2 yards. He finished with five catches for 53 yards.<\/p>\n
Stone\u2019s last scoring toss went to\u00a0Landon Balldin on a 73-yarder in the third quarter, accounting for most of the latter\u2019s 103 yards receiving on five catches.<\/p>\n
It was Mitchell\u2019s first taste of the sport in high school as the basketball player came out for the football team for the first time this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m blessed honestly,\u201d Mitchell said. \u201cEaston has been throwing me perfect balls, and I just couldn\u2019t be more grateful to my coach, everything and all the work I\u2019ve put in. I was always playing basketball all my life, and I didn\u2019t want to go to college regretting that I wouldn\u2019t play high school (football). So, I just decided I would go out and try it. So, I\u2019m really happy out here.<\/p>\n
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\u201cMe and Easton, we\u2019ve been working on the field since 5 a.m. to late nights. It\u2019s always the chemistry,\u201d Mitchell added. \u201cI was already friends with Easton before I started playing football, and I think that correlates. We\u2019ve put in a lot of work, a lot of reps. It goes along way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The rout of\u00a0Pieper was a good way to start the Rudy Nerio era at Alamo Heights. Nerio takes over for Ron Rittimann, who retired after spending the last six seasons leading Alamo Heights.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe talk about controlling the\u00a0controllables and not worrying about things like weather, and things like that and our guys have really bought in to what we\u2019re selling,\u201d Nerio said. \u201cUnbelievably proud of how they started, how they responded after a weather delay and all the credit goes to our guys.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nerio was pleased with the start Mitchell had in his debut football game.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWhat an awesome debut today,\u201d\u00a0Nerio said. \u201cSuper excited about Easton (Stone) and the leadership he brings at that position at quarterback. I\u2019m excited to see how that connection keeps growing.\u201d<\/p>\n
William Bishop capped a quick, five-play opening drive with a 40-yard touchdown run, powering his way into the end zone to put Alamo Heights up 7-0 with 9:32 left in the first quarter.<\/p>\n
Lee\u00a0Brockwell intercepted Pieper quarterback Chase Lyons near midfield to set up Alamo Heights\u2019 next score. Stone then connected with Mitchell on his first scoring pass, a 24-yarder on a fade route to put the Mules up 13-0 with 8:22 remaining in the first after the point after kick was missed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Blake Bader keeps the ball away from Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Easton Stone runs the ball around Pieper\u2019s Sean Dennis at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Players celebrate after Alamo Heights\u2019 Charlie Mitchell scored a touchdown pass while Pieper\u2019s Sebastian Merced defends at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop runs the ball into the end zone to score a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Cameron Wogstad holds onto the ball while Pieper\u2019s Laiton Springer tackles at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop runs the ball to make a touchdown on the play against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Cameron Wogstad makes a catch at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Blake Bader holds onto the ball while Pieper\u2019s Cole Schuler dives at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Players celebrate after Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop scored a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Pieper\u2019s Carson Echt (22) carries the ball at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Charlie Mitchell prepares to catch a touchdown pass while Pieper\u2019s Sebastian Merced defends at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Pieper\u2019s Chase Lyons prepares to throw the ball in a game against Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Charlie Mitchell catches a touchdown pass while Pieper\u2019s Sebastian Merced defends at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Easton Stone, center, carries the ball while Pieper\u2019s Campbell Dickson defends at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Sean Hill breaks up an intended pass to Pieper\u2019s Carson Lacombe at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Pieper\u2019s Wade Springer runs to the end zone to score a touchdown against Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Charlie Mitchell celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Charlie Mitchell celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop holds the ball away from Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Pieper\u2019s Luke Jordan flips into the end zone to score a touchdown against Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans prepare to exit the stadium during a lightning delay for the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights players enter the field before the game against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights players enter the field before the game against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Coach Rudy Nerio speaks with Easton Stone prior to the game against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans prepare to exit the stadium during a lightning delay for the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans wait for the start of the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans prepare to exit the stadium during a lightning delay for the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Pieper players pray before the game against Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights\u2019 Sam Baumgartner looks at the storm clouds rolling in during the first quarter of the game against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans prepare to exit the stadium during a lightning delay for the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Fans prepare to exit the stadium during a lightning delay for the football game between Pieper and Alamo Heights at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026.<\/p>\n
Katina Zentz\/San Antonio Express-News<\/p>\n
Officials delayed the game late in the first quarter because of thunderstorms in the area. Play resumed around 10:30\u00a0p.m., with the game ending early Saturday morning.<\/p>\n
Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n
The duo of Stone and Mitchell continued where it left off following the delay, as Stone found Mitchell open up the middle on a 25-yard catch-and-run and a two-yard scoring toss in the second quarter.<\/p>\n
In between the two Mitchell touchdown catches, Wade\u00a0Springer gave Pieper a glimpse of hope when he bolted on a 54-yard scoring run in the second quarter to get the Warriors within 20-7. Stone and Mitchell then answered the Pieper score with their two-yard scoring connection, and then Will Trevino had a pick six for the Mules, going 34 yards on an interception return to give Alamo Heights a 33-7 halftime lead.<\/p>\n
Lyons finished with 216 yards and two scores, including a 65-yard touchdown pass to Luke Jordan, but the Alamo Heights defense pressured him into throwing four interceptions and sacked him twice.<\/p>\n
Alamo Heights racked up 374 yards of total offense while\u00a0Pieper managed 312 total yards in defeat.<\/p>\n
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It was the first meeting between the two schools since\u00a0Pieper defeated Alamo Heights 53-46 in the Class 5A Division II regional semifinal playoff in 2023.<\/p>\n
The game was a rough start for new\u00a0Pieper coach Eddie Salas, who took over the reins of the team after Nick Rogers stepped down after last season. It was also Pieper\u2019s first game as a Class 6A program after playing their first five years in Class 5A.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Players celebrate after Alamo Heights\u2019 William Bishop scored a touchdown against Pieper at Pieper’s Warrior Coliseum on Friday,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":420202,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[82,84,83],"class_list":["post-420201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio","tag-san-antonio-headlines","tag-san-antonio-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=420201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/420201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/420202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=420201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=420201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=420201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}