Celebrating 126 Years of Serving the communities of Devine, Natalia, Lytle, Bigfoot, and Moore in Medina, Frio, and Atascosa Counties
Local Sports coverage of your Warhorse and Arabians, Colts, Fillys, Lytle Pirates, Lady Pirates, Mustangs and Lady Mustangs
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Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
For much of the Cross Country season, runners compete against the clock, the course, the weather, the hills, the heat and, perhaps most of all, themselves. But when the District 28-3A Meet arrives Wednesday, October 14, at Carrizo Springs, the competition becomes a little more personal. There will still be a starting line and there will be a finish line but for some runners, there will be one more race waiting on the other side.
Lytle, Devine, and Natalia join Carrizo Springs, Cotulla, Crystal City, and Hondo in Carrizo Springs with regional berths on the line. Those who advance from Wildcat Country will head to the Regional Meet in Corpus Christi on October 27, with the State Meet in Round Rock awaiting those who can take the next step on November 7.
There is, of course, a pre-district preview along the way on October 7, but most understand that a preview is exactly that…a preview, as it rarely tells the whole story. Some teams may choose to rest runners while others may be protecting an athlete from an unnecessary injury or simply using the meet as another opportunity to prepare without showing everything they have. Heck, not every district team may even be there and that is perfectly fine because the race that matters most is the one that comes next.
Cross Country is one of those sports that…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!
Congratulations to the Devine Team Tennis team as they wrapped up their spectacular 8-0 season with a District Championship victory over Pleasanton (13-0) then took down Yoakum in the Bi-District Championship (16-3). Next up is the Area Championship against Comal Davenport on Thursday, Oct. 8, in Boerne. First-serve is scheduled for 10am. The DHS Tennis team: Rubie Weyel, Becker Byrd, Greeley Malone, MJ Lawler, Kenzie Ray, Bryson Robison, Mallory Geries, Eli Valles, Paige Barron, Tai Moss, Prezley Freeburn, Nolan Beaty, Samantha Zamora, Phoenix Snider, Melenie Cardenas, Billy Shuler, and Kya Spurgers. With coaches Kandi Darnell and Zachary Valenzuela.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Congratulations are certainly in order for the Devine Team Tennis squad as they wrapped up their outstanding run with a perfect 8-0 District Championship victory over Pleasanton (13-0) before adding a Bi-District Championship to the trophy case with a victory over Yoakum.
Devine flocked the Eagles then pounded the Bulldogs (16-3).
The Warhorses and Arabians have put together an impressive season not only including their unblemished district mark but they’ve beaten several nondistrict foes along the way as well. There is still plenty of tennis left to be played as Devine takes on Comal Davenport in the Area round on Thursday, October 8, in Boerne. First-serve is scheduled for 10am.
Every championship is special, and the District and Bi-District titles earned by this team are certainly worth celebrating. But for the Arabians and Warhorses, there is another special feeling waiting on the other side of that Area match.
Keep…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!
Varsity captains #1 Leo Cortinas, #2 Maddox Corker, #9 Mason Giera and #77 Matthew Aguirre approach Devine’s captain before their game. Photo by Mable Byrd.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia Mustangs are coming off a bye at the midway point of the season. Right now the Mustangs are 2-3 overall and 1-1 in district (undefeated at home). Natalia is currently tied with Hondo, Lytle and Carrizo Springs in the district standings so I believe the real playoff contenders will emerge from these next three games. This year, the Mustangs’ caught their rhythm earlier than last season. In their two wins they have put up 50+ points(50-6 over YMLA and 60-43 against Lytle). With a five game sample size to look through we can assess what has been working for the Mustangs and how they can sustain that for the rest of the season and hopefully into the playoffs.
In their last three games Natalia has put up 106 points. Natalia’s offense is straight forward football, running the ball to get 4 yards here and 6 yards there to open up the passing game. Last year, the team was really balanced with keeping it on the ground and saving the big passing plays for when they need them most. This year, the team looks a lot more comfortable running a variety of schemes and actions, keeping opponents on their toes. Now they’re bread and butter is still the run game, and it’s been working really well, but they are more comfortable taking to the air when need be. Through five games the Mustangs have rushed for…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!
Varsity Pirate quarterback Weston Jackson was awared the Express News game ball award for his performance against Poteet. Weston went 8/10 with 136 passing yards and one TD. He also rushed for 225 yards with three rushing TDs. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Lytle Pirates were on a bye week with five games left in the season. They are currently 1-1 in district with an overall record of 2-3. Lytle’s first district win came from their latest game against Poteet where they annihilated the Aggies 58-33. Now that we’re at the midpoint of the season, we have decent sample size to analyze and identify trends of the team and how they have been performing so far this season.
The Pirates’ offense has been scoring at an elite level this year, save for their loss to Bandera, Lytle has been putting up at least three touchdowns per game. They have 23 TDs in total on the season. But it’s not just the amount of points they’re scoring but how they’re doing it. The Pirates have always been a tenacious football team, but the rhythm they’ve caught as of late has catalyzed a more physical and relentless style of football. The proof is in the numbers as well. Last year the Pirates had a total of 961 rushing yards and 1,485 receiving yards. This year the Pirates are already up 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!
#1 Varsity Lady Mustang loads up the serve. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Natalia Lady Mustangs Volleyball squad dropped their last two games entering the final month of the regular season. Natalia fell to Hondo and Cotulla in straight sets. The season may not go as some would hope but the coaching staff and team is committed to competing at their best while continuing to progress on the court. Head coach Hannah Farruggia said she has seen a lot of growth from the team as a whole. “We’ve learned more about each other, what our strengths are, and what we need to continue working on. We’ve also learned how important it 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!
#12 Madison Hernandez has been on an offensive tear, as of late, putting up 11 kills in the last two games. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Matthew “Moose” Lopez
Sports Editor
The Lytle Lady Pirates split their matches this past week, falling 3-1 to Devine then sweeping Crystal City 3-0 as a bounce back game. Lytle enters the final month of the regular season with an overall record of 13-15 and a district of 4-3, holding down the third seed. The Lady Pirates offense and defense has been as potent as ever. They are reaching a consistent rhythm at the right time as the post season approaches.
Coach Tamara Tilley commented that the girls…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!
The Natalia Marching Band traveled to Seguin this past week where they competed in the Seguin Marching Festival where they took second place! Photos by Mable Byrd.
You can 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
Varsity Arabian #11 Kyrie DuBose had 18 kills during Devine’s win over Lytle. Photo by Moose Lopez.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
The DSAC was rockin’ on September 29 as both sides of Sessions Court were packed to the gills with Lady Pirate fans filling the visitor’s side and Arabian Nation packing the home side. Devine treated their fans to a raucous four-set victory over Lytle.
“What a Tuesday night in Devine!” exclaimed Head Coach Samantha Mendez. “The Arabians took in all of the energy from the packed gym and brought the intensity all night long!”
Devine dropped the first set 19-25 before taking the delayed sweep by…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!
Varsity Warhorse #78 Aiden Martinez gets hyped after pancaking his opponent. Photo by Brigid Howard.
Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
After taking a well-earned open week, Devine is ready to trade in the practice field for the Friday night lights once again, returning to action this Friday night in Poteet as they continue their march through District 14-3A DI play. While an open week can sometimes be viewed as a chance to simply catch a breath, Warhorse Head Coach Jacob Campsey said his team approached the break with a different mindset.
“Honestly, what I liked most is that they were still chomping at the bit,” Campsey said. “These guys just want to improve constantly, and it’s a credit to their work ethic.”
The coaching staff used the extra time for plenty of reflection and preparation, taking a hard look at what the Warhorses have done well…and what they have not done so well. “We did a lot of self-reflection, self-scouting, and working on some team-specific things that we have not been great.”
Perhaps just as important as the X’s and O’s was the opportunity for the Warhorses to regroup as a team following a physically and emotionally demanding stretch of the season. Now, with district play moving forward and the playoff picture coming in to play at a quick pace, Campsey…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!
