Tri-Champ Warhorses challenge Navarro for Bi-District title this Friday

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A rematch of last year’s Bi-District ballgame between the Devine Warhorses and the Navarro Panthers is this Friday in Floresville at Eschenburg Stadium. The Panthers got the better of the Warhorses in last year’s matchup, but as Mike Leach will tell ya, that was last year.
Devine is coming off impressive victories against Pearsall, Poteet, and Carrizo Springs to close out their District 14-4A D2 schedule, earning a three way tie for the championship. Navarro finished second in District 13-4A D2 with their only loss coming at the hands of the always-talented Cuero Gobblers.
Navarro has relied on its ground game for as long as anyone can remember. This season is no different. The Panthers have gained 2,502 rushing yards while only passing for 319 on 14 completions in 28 attempts. However, 35 of their 38 touchdowns on the season have been via their running game.
That is a stark contrast between them and Devine who has a similar 39 touchdowns overall but has 19 through the air. Chad Lawson has most of the Warhorses 86 completed passes in 146 attempts for 1,633 yards. The running game is not shabby for Devine either as they have rushed for 2,092 yards on the season to go with the 20 touchdowns.
“Navarro is a very good football team that we are very familiar with,” stated Head Coach Paul Gomez. “We scrimmage them every year at the beginning of the football season and of course we played them last year in the playoffs.
Last year, injuries had us playing kids that were thrown into the fire and never had a chance to grow before heading into the playoffs. Even though we had just as many injuries this year, we had them early in the year and these boys have had a chance to grow and adjust. Now having some of those injured guys back, along with the guys that have proven they can play and get the job done as well.
I feel like we are deep in the skill positions, something we really have not had all year except for the first game against San Antonio Kennedy. One thing our coaching staff has realized through all these years coaching is that if you can get that first win in the playoffs, you have a chance to make a good run. I think our kids are still excited and definitely not tired of football.
I know Navarro will be a tough opponent as they have a great winning tradition over there, but I know our boys are going to leave it all on the field on Friday. I am confident that if we go into the game focused and excited, that we will give ourselves a chance to be successful. We just need to take care of ourselves, our attitude, and prepare the right way.
Hope to see Warhorse Nation Loud and Proud in Floresville!”
Navarro statistical leaders
Rushing—#12 Johnny Alegria 80 for 838 (10.48 per carry), 12 touchdowns; #44 Euler Deleon 129 for 794 (6.16 per carry), 10 touchdowns; #2 Bryan Butler 68 for 293 (4.31 per carry), 2 touchdowns; #32 Jean Sims 34 for206; 4 touchdowns; others 83 for 369 (4.4 per carry), 7 touchdowns.
Passing—#2 Bryan Butler 13 for 28 for 306 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; #13 Sam Muniga 1 for 1 for 13 yards.
Receiving—#12 Alagria 6 for 154 (26 yards per catch); #7 George Bradley 3 for 71 (24 yards per catch), 2 touchdowns; others 5 for 94 yards (18.8 yards per catch), 1 touchdown.
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer