Arabian #3 Rylee Esquibel recieves the ball and prepares for another attack. She led the Arabians in kills, with 19 against the Owls.
Last Wednesday night the Arabians traveled to Hondo and brought home a win, 3-0! Set points were as follows: 25-22, 25-14, and 25-20. Total stats for this game resulted in a whopping 37 kills, 7 aces, 4 blocks, and 74 digs! Leading in kills was #3 Rylee Esquibel-19, #7 Brooklyn Miller-9, #12 Skylar Blanton-4, #5 Bailey Oropeza-3, #6 Kaitlyn Morales-2. Aces: #1 Kaylee Romano-2, #2 Avery Cruz-2, #9 Kelsey Dishman-2, #4 Kristina Moralez-1. Blocks: Blanton-2, Miller-1, Oropeza-1. Leading in digs was Cruz with 27, Moralez-14, Dishman-8, Morales-7, Esquibel-7, #10 Kate Featherly-5, Romano-3, Blanton-1, Oropeza-1.
by Jerel Beaty Friday night is a huge night at Warhorse Stadium as not only does Devine take on San Antonio Memorial to kick off the 2022 season, but the parent’s of players will also be recognized prior to the ballgame as a small token of appreciation for all they have done throughout the course of their son’s high school football career. “I’m excited for our first game Friday and with it being parent’s night it makes it more special for our kids. Memorial will be a good test for us and we are excited for the challenge,” Head Coach Paul Gomez stated about getting the new season underway at 7:30pm right here in Devine. In 2021, Devine smashed Memorial 44-23 after racing out to a 28-7 halftime lead. Warhorse running backs Gabriel Esquibel and Ethan Santos each had two rushing touchdowns in the first half of that game Memorial was a senior-laden club last year as most of their individual statistical leaders were lost to graduation, including their top passer, rusher, and receiver. They finished at 4-6 overall including 3-5 in District 13-5A DI. A lot of unknowns await the Horses this season as Memorial’s roster has changed quite dramatically since last season. After Devine, Memorial takes on Central Catholic, Pearsall, Antonian, and Floresville prior to district play. Memorial has been a 5A program for quite some time, but dropped down to 4A this year where they face District 14-4A DI teams in Fredericksburg, Boerne, Somerset, Uvalde, and San Antonio Kennedy. Although now a lower classification, that district schedule prior to Kennedy is a treacherous one for the Minutemen.
Ethan Santos runs the ball up the middle and down the right side.
The Devine Warhorses will host their first football game at home this Friday, August 26, kickoff is 7:00 pm against SA Memorial in a non-district game. JV does not have a game on the schedule for this week. Natalia Mustangs will travel to Jourdanton to take on the Indians; kickoff is 7:00 p.m. in a non-district game. The JV will host Jourdanton on Thursday at 5:30 at home in Natalia. The Lytle Pirates will travel to Jefferson; kickoff is 7:30 p.m. in a non-district game. The JV will play at Jefferson on Thursday at 5:0 0 p.m.
Local boy competes on NCS World Series 9u championship. Hunter Alston, of Devine, played in the National Championship Sports World Series in Florida this past weekend with his team Alamo City WolfPack. Hunter also competed in the skills challenge against 48 kids from Texas, Alabama, and Florida, winning the Home Run Derby with 4 total homeruns.
Robert Wagner, a junior at Lytle High School, won second in the 800M run at regionals with a 1:59.98 to qualify for State.
Lytle Pirate junior Robert Wagner will compete at State after placing second overall in the 800m Run in Seguin at Regional last weekend. Wagner ran 1:59.98 to finish only .89 seconds behind Wyatt Hoover of Poth who ran 1:59.09 to claim the race’s individual championship. Wagner also competed in the 1600m Run, placing 13th with a time of 5:01.96. Alex Medina qualified for finals in Discus with a throw of 132’11½” to place third, almost qualifying for State.
Abel Sanchez came in 8th in the 800m Run with a time of 2:06.01.Pirate Jose Cortez ran both the 1600m and 3200m Run at Regionals in Seguin.
Jose Cortez ran 4:35.54 to place fifth in the 1600m Run and placed sixth in the 3200m Run with a time of 10:49.31. Abel Sanchez came in 8th in the 800m Run with a time of 2:06.01. Head Coach Jacob Escamilla stated, “This has been an amazing ride that will continue for another few weeks onto the STATE track meet in Austin. First, congratulations to all the track athletes who qualified for the Regional track meet this past weekend. These student-athletes represented Lytle ISD with pride and I could not be prouder of their efforts.
Pirate Alex Medina winds up to throw the discus at Regionals.
Once again, to get to this point in the track season is remarkable and an effort to be proud of. All of our male and female athletes represented with pride.” Wagner is scheduled to run at 6:25pm on Thursday, May 12.
Robert Wagner is scheduled to compete at 6:25pm on Thursday, May 12 in the 800 M Run at the State Track Meet.
Foster care One thing I enjoy getting in my email inbox is Coach Hadley Foster, Jr.’s recap of his thrower’s performances from the previous track meet. For those lucky enough to receive these emails, the care and compassion he puts into words for his student-athlete throwers in his “Lessons from the Rings” recap is clear to see. Alex Medina was his last performer for the 2022 season, and this is just a snippet of what Medina’s coach had to say about him. “This year Alex stepped into the leadership role for the throwers as he worked harder than any boy thrower I have ever coached, yet he is a different type of athlete. As the other discus throwers were warming up with high knee runs and stretches, I told Alex to go take a walk. He then came back and began to throw. If this year has taught me anything, it is that next year is next year. Alex’s success is his and all those who support him. His parents provide him with the opportunity. He has great friends in Robert Lane Wagner and the support of the Wagner Clan. Mr. Bob is always so proud of Alex. Coach Escamilla’s support and trust in me allowed me to work with the throwers. I don’t see high school boy athletes often, so his belief in the program filters quality boys my way. The season wraps up, the nets will come down and we finish the year with hope. Wishing Robert Lane the best success as he heads to state.”
Brian Schaefer, Jr advanced to the State golf tournament after qualifying at Regionals in Victoria, Texas. He will be competing against the top high school golfers in Texas. Schaefer is a senior at Devine High School, shown here practicing for State.
Lady Mustang #8 Anaya Jones awaits the bat at second.
The Natalia Lady Mustangs gave the Poth Pirettes all they wanted on April 5th in Natalia, as they took the Wilson County squad 8-innings. Unfortunately, the wheels fell off in the extra inning as Poth out-scored Natalia 8-1 en route to a 13-6 victory over the girls in blue. Natalia scored their first run of the game in the 1st inning and it all began with a Taty Alvaradon single. She was eventually able to score, thanks to an Aracely Segovia error put into play and an error put into play by Sky Gallegos. This lead stood, until the top of the 3rd inning when Poth was able to produce a two-run inning. The Pirettes did so thanks to a George single, a Castro double, an error put into play by Svoboda and an error put into play by Garcia to produce the offensive effort. Natalia was able to charge back ahead in the bottom of the 5th inning with a nice two out rally. Segovia was hit by a pitch to start things off. Gallegos was then walked, as Laque got on thanks to putting a ball into play that Poth was unable to handle, resulting in the girls in blue scoring in two to give them a 3-2 lead.
Lady Mustang Valarie Saenz gets ready to throw another one across the plate.
Poth was able to regain the lead in the top of the 7th inning with three runs scored. These came courtesy of a Castro single, a Svoboda single, a Garcia double, a Hopkins SAC fly, a Garcia error put into play into the outfield and a fielder’s choice allowing Poth to take a 5-3 lead into the final at bat in regular innings. Billalobos began the bottom of the 7th with a base on balls. Segovia then sacrificed to move Segovia over. Gallegos was then able to reach on an error by the Poth short-stop, as Laque singled to center field as Gallegos and Billalobos were able to score on a throwing error to tie the game 5-5. This one went to one extra inning, but as mentioned the wheels fell off. Poth out-scored Natalia 8-1 to pick up the 13-6 victory. Billalobos took the loss on the mound for Natalia as she pitched 8.0, allowed seventeen hits, thirteen runs in which only five were earned, struck out one and walked two. Alvarado and Laque led the offense with two hits each, as Billalobos, Gallegos added one each.
The Arabian Softball team is strongly holding onto first place at 4-1. Somerset and Hondo are not far behind at 3-2, Pleasanton is 2-3, and Brooks Academy rounds out the district at 0-4. The Arabians beat Pleasanton last night 13-3. With just three games left, the Arabians will have to work hard in three road games. They will face Somerset again tomorrow night at 7:00pm and against Hondo on April 19. Their final district game will be April 22nd at Brooks Academy. In their first meetings of district, Devine beat Somerset 4-1, fell to Hondo 8-9, and beat Brooks 15-0.
Varsity Arabians huddle up before the game.
Stat and highlights were not available at time of press and will run next week.
Roland Cordova pitching. Photos by student photographer Katara Whitfeild.
The Lytle Pirates were able to complete their season sweep of rival Natalia as they outhit the Mustangs 10-5 en route to a solid 9-2 win. Lytle used a huge five run first inning to pace themselves to victory.
Lady Pirate Calylssa Sevier is ready to slam another one.
Holding on to 3rd place at 6-4, the Lady Pirates are closely chased by Dilley at 5-5. This past Monday, the two teams faced in Lytle and in their first meeting this year, the Lady Pirates took the win at 4-2. Another win would help seal their playoff spot. Poth continues their undefeated run in district and Jourdanton is right behind at 8-1.
