Author: admin

DHS Cross Country teams place 4th in Gonzales

Senior Warhorse Shawn Lowe came in 13th at the Gonzales Invitational.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Devine High School Cross Country teams made the trek to Gonzales to compete in their invitational on September 19. Both teams had nice showings and now head to Dilley on September 26 as district is just around the corner on October 14 at Carrizo Springs.
The Warhorses placed 4th with 84 points. Randolph was the team champ with 41 points followed by Gonzales with 52 and Long Creek with 64. Lockhart was a very distant fifth place with 170 points.
Zach Guerra led the way for the Warhorses as he finished 5th out of 107 runners. Guerra ran his 5k in 16:32,86. Shawn Lowe and Urijah Velasquez were also top 15 runners with Lowe coming in 13th (17:19.31) and Velasquez next at 14th place (17:25.85). Jesus Cisneros (25th-17:50.32), Rafael Rodriguez (32nd-18:31.64), Jake Riou (50th-19:28.27), Caleb Maxwell (60th-19:57.16), Carlos Jimenez (622nd-20:05.87) rounded out Devine’s squad.
The Arabians placed 4th overall with 122 points to outdistance themselves from fifth place Shiner who tallied 146 points. Gonzales was the team champion with 27 points followed by St. Joseph with 61 and Port Lavaca Calhoun with 78.
Claire Jones placed 15th individually out of 78 in competition. Jones finished with a time of 14:02.61. Allison Balencia barely missed the…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Natalia battled Lytle in heated rivalry matchup

The Lady Mustangs will host Crystal City, Tuesday Sept. 23 and then travel to Devine to take on the Arabians on Friday, Sept. 25 in Devine at 5 P.M. Photo by Mable Bryd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Lady Mustangs only had one match this week against historic rivals, the Lytle Lady Pirates. Despite a thrilling second set, Natalia fell to the Lady Pirates in three. The Lady Mustangs are now 0-3 in district play holding down the 7th spot.
Although they lost in straight sets, the Lady Mustangs showed grit and heart in every possession. The pinnacle of this coming in the second set that went to deuce. The flashes of brilliance are still apparent, its only a matter of time before their record catches up to their skill and overwhelming talent.
Natalia’s next match will pit them against Crystal City at home Tuesday, Sept. 22. then traveling to Devine to take on the Arabians Friday, Sept. 25 at 5 P.M.Vs Lytle (L: 25-10, 26-24, 25-15)
Kills: #4 Kaylee Uviedo- 1, #6 Lyncie Acosta- 1, #7 Ralynn Juarez- 1, #13 Mia Loza- 2, #15 Allison Kanagusico- 5
Aces:  #1 Liliana Saenz- 1, #5 Triss Vera- 2, #7 Juarez- 3
Blocks: #13 Loza- 1
Digs: #1 Saenz- 8, #3 Paige Key- 1, #4 Uviedo- 2, #5 Vera- 1, #7 Juarez- 7, #8 Gianna Rodriguez- 1, #10 Alani Aguinaga- 3, #13 Loza- 1, #15 Kanagusico- 2
Assists: #1 Saenz- 1, #7 Juarez- 9

Lytle splits second week of district, improving to 2-2

In their game against Natalia, the Lytle Lady Pirates took down the Lady Mustangs in straight sets! Photo by Mable Byrd.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Lytle Lady Pirates now move into 4th in district standings after splitting matches with a tough five-set loss to Carrizo Springs and a dominant three-set victory over Natalia. Lytle is now 2-2 in district play but continues to improve with every game. Head coach Margaret McOsker said both matches gave the team “valuable opportunities to grow.”
“We were disappointed with the loss [to Carrizo Springs], but I was proud of how the girls competed and continued to battle until the final point,” McOsker said. “Then, against Natalia, we responded with a dominant three-set victory. It was great to see the team reset, refocus, and play with confidence. We’re also battling against injuries that have changed our lineup and forced the younger players to step up.”
During their match against the Wildcats, rallies were extended to their absolute limit, with Carrizo almost always earning the point after. McOsker felt the team was too cautious or made an extra error when the possession was extended.
“To improve in those situations, we have to be more disciplined with our first contact, communicate better, and trust our systems,” McOsker explained. “We also need to stay aggressive at the net and understand that long rallies require patience, but not passivity. The goal is to…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

‘Chin Up. Chest Out’ Lytle’s big offensive night in Legacy Bowl, encourages program’s future

Pirate #3 Weston Jackson earned the offensive MVP for Lytle throwing 11/18 for 192 yards and 2 TDs. He also has 2 rushing touchdowns. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
Few things in life are inevitable. Death, taxes and the Pirates and Mustangs putting on a show at the Legacy Bowl. In one of the most high octane games of the season so far, the Lytle Pirates fell to the Natalia Mustangs 60-43. There were no records, there were no district seeding implications; this was simply to heavy weights going back and forth. Both squads played at an elite level and put on a scoring performance that is rarely seen. Head coach Mike Trevino admitted this was one of those games that just left you speechless and despite the loss, was extremely proud of his Pirates. 
“It was definitely one of those games where you look up at the scoreboard and almost can’t believe what you’re seeing,” Trevino said. “I’m extremely proud of the fight our kids showed. Obviously, we’re disappointed with the outcome because we prepare every week to win football games. But there are things from Friday night that we can build on.”
Despite the loss, Trevino was encouraged by what he saw in the offense. The Pirates had 439 yards of total offense and in the second half with four touchdowns.  Every time the Mustangs would march down the field and score, the Pirates would answer right back, even scoring on multiple opening drives. After having a lackluster offensive night against Bandera, Trevino could see the “belief coming back” to the team. Now their next “challenge”, according to Trevino, is not becoming complacent with one good offensive night, but learning from what worked and carrying that confidence into the next game.   
“I think the biggest difference [from the Bandera game] was…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Mustangs’ historic night leads to Legacy Bowl win 60-43

Mustang #11 Ethan Zapata(left) battles #4 Pirate Matt Wimer during the Historic Legacy Bowl. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Legacy Bowl is a time old tradition that never disappoints. The stands are packed with cheering fans, all of which understand the history behind the Mustangs versus Pirates. Sports has a habit of raising the stakes and importance of the moment. This is only the fourth game of the season, only the first game of district play, but both teams played like their life was on the line. The Natalia Mustangs take down the Lytle Pirates in an absolute slug fest of a game 60-43. This is the first time since the 2022-23 season that Natalia bested Lytle. Head coach Jason Reynolds admitted this was one of the “wildest” games he’s ever been a part of. 
“The atmosphere was exceptional and the stakes were high with it being the Legacy Bowl. I felt like our kids handled the pressure well and responded each time our backs were against the wall,” Reynolds said. “Our offensive line was playing with a lot of confidence and Leo [Cortinas] was on another level. It was amazing to witness the resiliency of our kids and I couldn’t be happier for them to bring home the Legacy Bowl Trophy.”
The Mustangs have put up 50+ points in their last two games. Everyone sees the quarterbacks, running backs and receivers make the big play, but the real foundation for scoring comes from the O-line. 
“I said it before the game ever started that the game would be won and lost in the trenches,” Reynolds said. “Our offensive line was playing with a lot of confidence and that was the difference maker. Back to back 50+ points and neither game resembled the other. Our kids did a great job of taking a game plan, and executing it.”
On the other side of the ball, the defense gave up…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Mustang #1 Leo Cortinas won the offensive MVP for Natalia. Going for 468 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. Both school records according to sources. Photo by Moose Lopez.



Arabian volleyball unblemished in district, 4-0

Varsity Arabian Kaylee Rodriguez goes for the block on the spiker. In their win over Southside, Rodriguez put up 2 kills and 2 assists. Photo by Moose Lopez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The Arabians are starting to find their rhythm as we get into the full swing of district play. We’re doing a lot of great things on the court and continuing to improve each game, especially when it comes to communication and teamwork which are two things that make a huge difference as we compete at this level.
“We’re still working to clean up the small things, because those little details can make a BIG difference and become game-changers during the biggest moments of a set,” Head Coach Samantha Mendez stated.
Devine’s tough preseason schedule is paving the way for district success, and hopefully, even more success when the state playoffs come to fruition.
“I am proud of the growth, the fight, and the way this team continues to come together. We’ll keep working, improving, and finding our rhythm!”
The Arabians dominated the Cowgirls in straight sets 25-20, 25-15, 25-14 to run their record to a perfect…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!


Horses hog-wash Javelinas 62-0 to open district 1-0

Varsity Warhorse #44 Duke Wheeler had an amazing game keeping Crystal City’s offense on their toes. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine traveled to the Spinach Capital of the World last Friday night and left with a District14-3A opening victory that was anything but green around the gills for Warhorse Nation. The spinach-supply around Javelina-town was in low supply as the Horses rode past the Crystal City 62-0 in emphatic fashion, dominating all three phases while piling up 459 yards of total offense and limiting the hosts to just 48 yards and three first downs on their own home field.
For Devine head coach Jacob Campsey, however, the biggest takeaway was not simply the lopsided score or spinach-shortage. “Once we stopped shooting ourselves in the foot early I certainly felt as though each side of the ball and each teammate fed off each other,” Campsey said. “Once we got up multiple scores in the second quarter I felt like we stopped pressing a bit and just played to the standard we are cultivating.”
That transformation was evident after a relatively quiet opening quarter. Devine managed just one score in the first, with Logan Alexander finding the end zone on a 3-yard run. The Warhorses missed their first point attempt of the season after opening 11 for 11, but the defense had already established the tone, holding Crystal City without much production their first couple of possessions.
Then the flood gates opened. Devine erupted for 35 points in the second quarter to turn a 6-0 game into a 41-0 halftime advantage. Quarterback Brayden Mann connected with Brody Lane on an 18-yard touchdown pass to get the second-quarter scoring started. Enoch Hall followed with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Nate Valle then broke loose for a 68-yard scoring jaunt.
Valle and Lane produced one of the game’s most spectacular plays to set up Hall’s 5-yard touchdown, his second of the game. With the ball on the Devine 12-yard line, Valle launched a deep ball up the left side that Lane snagged around midfield before securing it then dragging an overmatched Javelina defender all the way to…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

School opts for exemption to Chapter 37 armed security guard requirements due to funding/ staffing constraints

DMS Principal Kandi Darnell speaks about the campus C accountability rating among other campus news. Enrollment figures were shared to show the school’s size and grade distribution. With an enrollment of 445 students, 151 students are sixth graders and 158 are seventh graders, making the seventh grade the largest of the three middle school grades.

Board approves a final payment of $85,456 for the new tennis courts

By Anton Riecher
At this week’s Devine ISD school board meeting, the board voted 5-0 to approve a final payment of $85,456 to Austin-based Hellas Construction for the new tennis courts at the athletic facilities outside Warhorse Stadium. Completion is scheduled for mid-November.
The motion to approve final payment was made by board member Chris Davis and seconded by Ali Buvinghausen. Board members Candace Esparza and Carl Brown were absent for the Monday meeting.
Exemption to armed security guard requirement
By a 5-0 vote, the Devine School board approved a resolution for an exemption to the new state requirement, which required public school districts to place at least one armed security officer at every district campus during regular school hours (Texas Education Code Section 37.0814).


Because of funding and staffing constraints, the board determined the district qualifies for a good-cause exemption and will use an alternative safety plan.
With the exemption, our district’s alternative plan includes…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!



Lytle’s 75th Anniversary celebration

The City of Lytle celebrated it’s 75th anniversary with a block party, night time parade and some great live music. Photos by Brianna Paredes and KK Calame. More photos on page 15.

The winner of the grito contest as Lytle’s big 75th anniversary celebration last weekend.

The Night time parade was a big hit as always! Lytle celebrated its 75th anniversary this past Saturday.

You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this! Click the link to sign up today! www.devinenewsmembers.com