“Warhorse Bowl” is this Saturday

Horses to Scrimmage Ingram Friday Aug. 14

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Devine Head Coach Jacob Campsey is excited to get a new tradition rolling as the Warhorse Bowl cranks up this Saturday on Dean Bates Practice Field. The hour and a half long intersquad scrimmage cranks up at 9am and is expected to last an hour and a half.
The Warhorses officially began their 2026 season this past Monday afternoon. With players fighting for their spots on whatever respective team…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

DHS Tennis back in the swing of things

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
While Friday night football lights may grab much of the attention this time of year, the pleasant (although sometimes vicious) sounds of tennis balls meeting racquets have returned as the Devine Warhorse and Arabian team tennis program has officially opened regular and district matches for the 2026 season.
Head Coach Kandi Darnell and assistant Zac Valenzuela welcomed players back to the courts in late…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

103 Warhorses answer the call as new era officially begins

The Warhorses are assembled and ready to kickoff the 2026 season! Devine will take to the field in the first annual Warhorse Bowl this Saturday Aug. 8 at 9 A.M. at the Dean Bates practice field. The Horses will host their first scrimmage against Ingram, Aug. 14 then travel to Navarro to take on the Panthers on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
While no band played and the lights remained dim at Warhorse Stadium, Monday afternoon inside the DHS gym and onto Dean Bates Practice Field still felt like one of the biggest moments of the year with 103 players reporting for the opening day of football practice as the 2026 season officially began under the direction of first year head coach Jacob Campsey.
For Campsey, the day carried a special meaning that stretched far…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Coach Mendez excited to dive into Arabian volleyball

Former college athlete Coach Samantha Mendez brings 15+ years of coaching experience to the Arabian program. Hired by Devine ISD this Summer, she is excited to lead the Arabians into the upcoming season as the Head Volleyball Coach.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Coach Samantha Mendez will take the lead of the Arabian Volleyball program this season. Mendez has been coaching for 15+ years, and she’s really excited about what she’s seen so far from the maroon and gold.
“I’ll tell you right now, we have a lot of talent here in Devine, girls who are hungry to win and hungry to carry on the tradition,” Coach Mendez said. “That’s something I definitely see in these girls, and I’m super, super excited to coach these athletes. They are eager to play, willing to learn and willing to work.”
Mendez has coached at a variety of levels at San Antonio ISD, SA Memorial, Wimberley club volleyball, as well as Lytle ISD most recently.
One of her favorite coaching memories was coined “The Memorial Volleyball Miracle” by the SA Report. In this historic turnaround, Coach Mendez led the San Antonio Memorial volleyball team to its first district championship in over 40 years.
Coach Mendez says…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Warhorse Kids Football Camp a success

Two Divisions – JRs (3rd & 4th graders) and SRs (5th & 6th graders).
Football sign-ups will be held this Sunday, August 2nd from 10am-2pm at 717 Tuttle Dr. in Devine. Registration fee is $100.00 and a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate is required when registering.
If you have any questions, contact Jack Zimmerle at 210.215.4944.

Local volleyball teams serve up first day of practice this Saturday

Jerel Beaty
The sound of whistles, squeaking shoes, and of course, volleyballs striking the court will return this Saturday as teams from across the state officially open their preseason workouts.
August 1 marks the first day programs may issue equipment and conduct workouts, giving athletes their first organized opportunity to begin preparing for what all hope is a memorable and playoff-appearance making 2026 season.
Like all schools, Devine, Lytle, and Natalia will not have long to settle in before competition ramps up.
The first scrimmages are scheduled for August 7, followed by the first day for matches on August 10.
Those early dates give coaches a short window to evaluate lineups, build rotations and prepare players for the pace of regular-season play.
The regular season will build toward district certification on October 27 when playoff qualifiers are finalized.
From there, the postseason begins quickly with bi-district matches set for October 29-31 and area-round play scheduled for November 2-3.
The playoff road continues with regional semifinals November 5-7 and regional finals November 9-10.
Teams that advance beyond their respective region will move on to the state semifinals November 14, with state championship matches scheduled for November 19-21.
Best of luck to all Arabian, Lady Mustang, and Lady Pirate teams during their 2026 seasons!

Recounting our blessings

This young lady, Gwyn Mia DeLeon has overcome a lot in her young life, and it is evident that she has touched and will continue to touch many lives along the way with her uplifting attitude, grateful heart, and her touching story. Photo by KK Calame.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
Look at her go! Everyone smiled as Devine High School Class President Gwyn Mia DeLeon gave her speech at Warhorse Stadium Friday night. Due to time constraints, she wasn’t able to give the full speech she had written, so we are proud to present more of this bright young lady’s thoughts, born from a very grateful heart.
This young lady has overcome so much, and it is evident that she has touched many lives along the way with her story.
DeLeon thanked everyone who “made it possible for us to stand here today in our maroon caps and gowns.” And for Gwyn, these words carry more weight than they might for the average teen. Just a few years ago, as she was beginning her high school career, DeLeon’s family received devastating and completely unexpected news–her kidneys were failing.
At the age of 14, DeLeon, who was a freshman at Devine High School at the time, quickly began dialysis, while her family prayed for a donor.
The bright young woman has always been very active in school and church, and it was not long before the community rallied around her, with more than 100 people stepping forward to register to be tested to be on the living donor list on her behalf. Soon, Gwyn’s biological mother learned she was a match and donated her kidney in a successful transplant in November of 2023.
DeLeon will be attending St Phillips College in San Antonio where she will study radiology. When she was awarded Student of the Month this past November, she stated,” I have always had a passion for the medical field and I plan to live that out helping those in need,” DeLeon said.
In her address, DeLeon thanked everyone from parents and teachers and coaches, to those working behind the scenes such as staff, administrators, school board…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

DHS well-represented at STCA All Star Game

Devine had an astounding 14 student athletes make the South Texas Coaches Association All-Star game. Devine had multiple representatives across basketball, volleyball and football. The Warhorses who hit the field were Tyler Hinnant, Nate Martinez, Riley Gutierrez, Jackson Hagdorn, Trystan LaFond, Ty Sadler, Jeremy Steinbrunner, Mario Vicente and Derek Taylor. Photo from Devine Athletic booster club.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
For many high school athletes, the final game or meet of their senior season marks the end of a journey years in the making. But for 14 Devine High School seniors, the opportunity to compete one more time became a reality after earning selection to one of the prestigious South Texas Coaches Association All-Star Game in Floresville on May 14.
The honor serves as both a celebration of their accomplishments and recognition from opposing coaches who witnessed firsthand the impact these athletes made throughout their careers.
Selections to an all-star event are never handed out lightly. Coaches across South Texas evaluate athletes not only for statistics and performances, but also for leadership, consistency, sportsmanship, and the ability to compete at a high level against strong competition.
For Devine, having 14 seniors chosen speaks volumes about the caliber of athletes the Warhorses and Arabians placed on the field and court for their final taste of glory during the 2025-26 school year.
The selections also reflect the respect these seniors earned from rival programs throughout the region. Week after week, Devine athletes competed with determination and pride, often elevating the level of play around them.
Whether through clutch performances, relentless effort, or simply being dependable teammates, these seniors left lasting impressions on their own coaches as well who now have the privilege of watching them compete one final time, but this time, as fans…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 $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Devine had two Arabian seniors participate in the South Texas Coaches Association All-Star game. Bella Flores and Cami Carroll got to hit the hardwood one final time in Floresville. Photo from Devine Athletic booster club.

COLLEGE SIGNING DAY!!

Arabian Abriella Kayl will be attending Bryant & Stratton College. In her senior season Kayl had 13 plate appearances, nine at bats, one run and one RBI. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Congratulations to all the students furthering their athletic careers!

Warhorse Jackson Hagdorn signed to the United States Coast Guard. Hagdorn earned All-District honors in his last season at Devine. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Riley Gutierrez signed to Schreiner University. In his final season in Devine, Gutierrez led his team in total runs at 17 and earned an honorable mention on the All-District team this year. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Rudy Castillo signed to Arlington Baptist University. In his senior season, Castillo earned All-District first team honors with a .333 batting average, 13 hits and 27 K’s. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Ryan Weinkam will be attending Texas A&M University- San Antonio. Weinkam was a force on the track this season. He and his relay team broke multiple school records and punctuated his senior with a trip to the State track and field meet in Austin. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Tanner Davis will be attending Texas A&M- Kingsville. During a meet in Kerrvile this season, Davis won three gold medals and contributed 30 points to Devine’s 73 total. He took first place in High Jump, Pole Vault and the 400m dash. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Trystan LaFond will be attending Wayland Baptist University. In his senior season at Devine, LaFond had 124 rushing yards while leading his team in total conversion points. Photo by Brigid Howard.

Warhorse Ty Sadler will be attending Bethel College. In his final season on the diamond, Sadler made the Academic All-District team. Photo by Brigid Howard.