Category: Warhorses & Arabians

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
    Texas Sports Writers of America honored three Warhorse football players by naming them to the TSWA All-State Honorable Mention squad for their performances during Devine’s District Championship, state playoff qualifying 2022 season.

    Junior running back Ethan Santos, senior  defensive tackle Logan Camarillo, and junior tight end Aaron Bonilla all earned the special recognition.
    “These young men had very successful seasons and I am excited that they get recognized by the Texas Sports Writers Association for their hard work. These young men put a lot of hours and commitment towards being the best football players that they can be and we appreciate them,” said excited Head Coach Paul Gomez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
    Three senior Arabian powerlifters fit the term “student-athlete” to a T as they landed on one of three Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Academic teams at the conclusion of last season.
    Jordan Erxleben earned the highest possible ranking as she was recognized on the Academic Elite honor roll.  Jordan was one of 104 lifters from the entire state to make the Elite list.

    Cassandra Elias was tabbed First-Team Academic All-State.  Elias was one of 78 to make the First-Team.
    Victoria Nunez made Second-Team Academic All-State.  Nunez was one of 114 honored on the Second Team.
    “These ladies excelled both in the sport of powerlifting and in academics,” stated Head Coach Paul Gomez.  “It is a full time job to be on the top of both of those categories and we are very proud of them!”

    Congratulations Jordan, Cassandra, and Victoria for upholding the academic value of being a true student-athlete and excelling both in the classroom and in athletic competitions.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
    Devine freshman Mason Saunders won the District 29-4A individual championship after a three-hole playoff against Blake Mainz of Floresville.  Devine finished as runner-up overall for District 29-4A, qualifying for Regional in Victoria at The Club of Colony Creek in Victoria.
    Saunders won his playoff in dramatic fashion as he and Mainz replayed holes #1, #18, and #1 once again before the individual champ was crowned.  Saunders converted a pressure-filled 12-foot putt on the first playoff hole to extend the playoff, then put an exclamation mark on his day with a 30-footer to swing victory in his favor.

    The Warhorses shot 681 to finish behind team champion Pleasanton who posted 663.  Devine shot 333 on Monday which happened to be a nice, sunny, windless day then followed with a 348 on a windy, cold, cloudy Tuesday.
    Saunders led the team naturally with a 76 Monday, and an 81 Tuesday for a 157.  Jacob Rodriguez was the model of consistency as he tallied 85/85 for a smooth 170.  Jameson Ramirez posted 82/95 for 177 and Aaron Gallegos was pretty consistant as well with 90/89-179.  Diego Gerlach went 95/93 for 188 to round out the scoring for Devine #1 team.

    Devine #2 placed fifth of the eight teams with a 767.  Team #2 shot 383 Monday then followed with a 384 Tuesday.
    Johnathan Gelinas led Team #2 going 91/86 for 177 followed by Wyatt LaFond who posted 91/101 for 192.  Gavin Williamson went 108/97 for a two-day 205, Antonio Gamboa shot 93/114 for 207, and Jackson Hagdorn tallied 117/100 for 217.
    Victory Schaefer posted Devine’s overall second leading score as he shot 75 Monday then followed with 91 Tuesday for a two-day 166.
    Devine gets a little time to work on their game as Regional is just under a month away.  Tee times are to be determined.
Team results
    1st Pleasanton 663 (322/341) Mark Thornton 82/82-164, Luke Thornton 78/88-166, Levi Turner 82/86-168 Jake Casias 83/85-168, Brady Stevens 80/94-174 2nd Devine 681 (333/348) Mason Saunders 76/81-157, Jacob Rodriguez 85/85-170, Jameson Ramirez 82/95-177, Aaron Gallegos 90/89-179, Diego Gerlach 95/93-188 3rd Floresville 701 (355/346) Blake Mainz 81/76-157, Ray Ramirez 86/81-167, Kollman Street 93/94-187, Luke Martin 95/95-190, Ryan Street 99/97-196 4th Uvalde 702 (355/347) Joseph Roswell 85/86-171, Ryder Torres 90/87-177,  Jack Brock 91/87-178, Chance Luevanos 89/89-178 5th Devine-#2 767 (383/384) Johnathan Gelinas 91/86-177, Wyatt LaFond 91/101-192, Gavin Williamson 108/97-205, Antonio Gamboa 93/114-207, Jackson Hagdorn 117/100-217 6th Pearsall 849 (448/401) Cody Sekula 100/88-188, Weston Hurst 117/95-212, Jordan Tagle 97/121-218, Jackson Earley 134/97-231, Jacob Elizondo 143/NS-NS 7th Carrizo Springs 771 (385/386) Abryam Urenda 89/92-181, Jonah Hernandez 94/100-194, Jeremy Escamilla 108/94-202, Reme Jimenez 104/100-204, Evan Castellanos 98/125-223 8th Somerset 855 (429/426) Tyler Corn 93/98-191, Ty Denton 115/106-221, Leo Strozzi 117/104-221, Oscar Hernandez 104/118-222 Medalists Victor Schaefer-Devine 75/91-166, Grant Moos-Pleasanton 94/88-182, Owen Mendez-Floresville 103/93-196, Hazen Manuel-Floresville 103/105-208, Bardo-Guanajuato-Carrizo Springs 93/118-211, Tyler Mutz-Floresville 102/111-213, Jaxon Parker-Uvalde 104/NS-NS.

Eight Devine HS golfers earn All-District for their 29-4A perfomances

    Warhorses Mason Saunders and Victor Schaefer and Arabian Brianna Schaefer led the way for Devine High School’s 29-4A All-District teams after their two-day performances in Uvalde last Monday and Tuesday.  First team honors went to Saunders who was the boys overall individual champion and to Victor, while Brianna placed third overall on the girls side.
    Second team honors went to Warhorses Jacob Rodriguez, Jameson Ramirez, and Johnathan Gelinas and to Arabians Raynee Allen and Gabby Morales.

Rios, Barnett, and Featherly with home runs!
The Arabians were hard at work over spring break, totaling three wins for the week. Last Friday the Devine varsity Arabian softball team took on the Carrizo Springs Wildcats. Hilary Barnett came to the ballpark and meant business on Friday, tallying four hits and leading the Arabians to a 13-3 win over Carrizo Springs. Barnett doubled in the first, homered in the second, doubled in the fourth, and singled in the fifth. The Arabians hit three home runs on the day. Rios, Barnett, and Featherly each knocked the ball out of the park during the second inning, contributing to a six run inning. The Arabians collected 15 hits. Barnett, Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Rios all managed multiple hits. Barnett went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits. Pitcher Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-2, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Featherly-1Barnett-4, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2.
Pitcher: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts-10.
Barnett throws a no hitter!
The Arabians next match over the holiday took place midday against the Pleasanton Eagles. Hilary Barnett was brilliant in the circle on Tuesday, as she threw a no-hitter to lead the Arabians past Pleasanton 9-0. Leading in hits was Arabian Kynedie Cruz who went 4-for-4 at the plate. Cruz singled in the first, singled in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled in the sixth. The Arabians put up five runs in the sixth inning. The pressure was put on with a single from Cruz, and a home run from Maddie Brown. Pitcher Barnett lasted six and two-thirds innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out 18 and walking one. The Arabians racked up 13 hits in the game. Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Brown all managed multiple hits for the Arabians. Cruz led the Arabians with five stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base path. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Hits: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-4, Featherly-2, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Brown-2, Contreras-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Coronado-2, Brown-1, Contreras-1.
Fielding: Outs: Hernandez-18, Dugosh-1, Blanton-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-0, Walks-1, Strikeouts-18.
Blanton with a homerun!
The Arabians final match over spring break was another midday game versus our rival Hondo Owls. The result was an easy 12-2 victory. The Arabians got things moving in the first inning, when Hilary Barnett doubled on a 1-0 count, scoring one run. The Arabians tallied five runs in the fifth inning. The offensive firepower by was led by Janelle Coronado, Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, and Skylar Blanton, all driving in runs in the frame. Pitcher Barnett went five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and striking out nine. A threat in the batter’s box, Blanton launched one home run in the fifth inning. The Arabians tallied 12 hits in the game. Blanton, Valle, and Allie Dugosh all managed multiple hits for for the Arabians. Blanton went 3-for-3 at the plate to lead in hits.
Batting: Hits: Valle-2, Rios-1, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Hernandez-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-3. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Cruz-2, Barnett-1, Dugosh-2, Coronado-1, Blanton-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-2, Hernandez-9, Brown-1.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-4, Walks-3, Strikeouts-9.
The winning streak has placed the girls at third in district with a 3-2 record. Tuesday, March 21st, the Arabians will travel to Somerset to take on the Lady Bulldogs. The following Friday, March 24th, the Arabians are scheduled to travel to Pearsall to take on the Lady Mavericks. Good luck Arabians!

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Devine was one inning from beginning its District 29-4A schedule 3-0. Devine took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning in Pleasanton March 14, but the Eagles finally put the wood on the ball to score three times in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the 3-1 victory.
“It was a heartbreaker, but we really did not do what we needed to do to pull out the win,” Head Coach Heath Poppe stated regarding his squad collecting only four hits and striking out 13 times against Eagle pitching.
Caden Hanson was masterful on the mound for five innings, but ran into a jam in the sixth allowing three earned runs. On 84 pitches, Hanson struck out four, while allowing only four hits and one walk.
Devine’s lone run came after Sam Guardiola opened the second inning on a hit-by-pitch then stole second before scoring on Corey Dirck’s RBI single.
A different story awaited the Horses in Jourdanton as Devine pounded out 11 hits and scored 8 runs in their 8-2 victory last Thursday.
Korbin Campbell got the victory, tossing four innings, giving up one earned run, striking out two, and walking only three on 62 pitches. Shayne Scarbrough came in as relief to throw the final three innings, striking out three and walking four.
Camden White, Jack Schneider, and Henry Ramirez got two hits apiece, while Anthony Saldivar, Gabriel Esquibel, Logan Camarillo, Sam Guardiola, and Corey Dirck each got one hit.
White led the RBI department with three, Dirck was next with two, and Saldivar and Ramirez each knocked home one run.
Up next
Devine is now 8-4-1 overall and 2-1 in district play. They will have played Somerset Tuesday, March 21 at Warhorse Field before matching up against Pearsall on the road March 24.

Last Friday, March 17th, Devine Arabian senior Neenah Guerrero traveled to compete in the THSWPA Powerlifting State Championship held in Frisco, Texas. Her hard work throughout the season earned her a fifth place title. What’s more impressive is the fact that this was Neenah’s first year being a member of the powerlifting team. Way to compete and congratulations on a successful season!
Neenah Guerrero, first place, squat 250, bench 130, dead lift 225, total 605.

Last Tuesday, March 7th, the Devine Arabian softball team traveled to Uvalde to play their third district game of the season. Strong pitching and limited error in the field won the match for the Arabians 3-0. The win puts the girls at a district record of 2-1, two losses; one win. Pitcher Hilary Barnett  threw a shutout, lasting seven innings, allowing five hits and zero runs while striking out 11 and walking zero. In the batter’s box the Arabians tallied seven hits. Denise Contreras and Natalie Valle led the team with two hits each. Stats for the match are as follows:
Batting: Singles: Natalie Valle-2, Angelina Rios-1, Maddie Brown-1, Denise Contreras-2. Triples: Yaya Rodriguez-1. Runs: Valle-2, Rodriguez-1.
Fielding: Assists: Valle-1. Outs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Kynedie Cruz- 1, Kate Featherly-2, Barnett-2, Allie Dugosh-1, Rodriguez-11, Skylar Blanton-2.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Strikeouts-11.
Friday, March 10th, the Arabians hosted a match against Carrizo Springs. The Arabians trampled Carrizo a whopping 13-3. A threat on the mound and the batter’ box, Hilary Barnett tallied 4 hits; a single, two doubles, and a home run. On the mound, Barnett surrendered three runs on five hits over five innings, striking out ten and walking one. Varsity Arabians Kate Featherly and Angelina Rios were threats in the batter’s box as well with a home run each. As a team the Arabians totaled 15 hits. Yaya Rodriguez, Denise Contreras, and Hilary Barnett each collected multiple hits, and Natalie Valle, Kynedie Cruz, Kate Featherly, and Allie Dugosh each made contact with one. The win settled the girls at a district record of 2-2.
Batting: Singles: Rodriguez-2, Cruz-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1. Doubles: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-1, Barnett-2, Contreras-1. Triples: Contreras-1. Home Runs: Rios-1, Featherly-1, Barnett-1. Runs: Valle-1, Rios-1, Rodriguez-3, Cruz-1, M Rivera-2, Featherly-1, Barnett-1, Dugosh-1, Contreras-2.
Fielding: Outs: Valle-1, Rodriguez-10, Featherly-2, Contreras-2.
Pitching: Barnett: Hits Allowed-5, Walks-1, Strikeouts- 10.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Seth DeLeon punched his ticket to the State Powerlifting Meet in Abilene March 24 with his 1,200lb effort in the 148lb weight class at Regional. DeLeon, Juan Rendon, Diego Mendoza, Joe Guerrero, and Zach Martinez all competed for the chance to advance to the final meet of the season last Friday in Kingsville.
Seth totaled 1,210lb to get the automatic state bid in his class by squatting 460, benching 315, and deadlifting 435 to finish 4th overall in Region 5 Division 2.
Juan Rendon (114lb) totaled 725lb by squatting 280, benching 145, and deadlifting 300 to finish 11th in the region.
Diego Mendoza (123lb) totaled 860lb by squatting 375, benching 175, and deadlifting 310 to finish 9th in the region.
Joe Guerrero (123) totaled 840lb by squatting 315, benching 195, and deadlifting 330 to finish 10th in the region.
Zach Martinez (198lb) totaled 1,335lb by squatting 520, benching 365, and deadlifting 450 to finish 9th in the region.
Congratulations to all Warhorse lifters, and best of luck to Seth at State March 24 in Abilene!