Category: Warhorses & Arabians

The 8th grade Fillys Volleyball teams had a full week of playing this past week. To start the week, the teams made the long trip to Carrizo Springs to face the Wildcats.
The Gold team started the evening off in the first 8th grade game of the night. In the first set, the Fillys and the Wildcats battled back and forth. At a 3-all tie, the Wildcats jumped out to a 9-3 lead. But, when the Filly’s setter, Paige Barron, came into the game and served, the game took on an entirely new look. Paige served 18 straight serves, helping the Fillys go up on Carrizo Springs 21-9. A few minutes later, the game ended with the Fillys winning 24-11 as time expired.
In the 2nd set, the Fillys dominated. Coming off of the first set win, Jacqueline Salazar served 10 straight Filly points, putting the team up 12-4. After that, Paige Barron, once again, went on a serving streak for her team, serving 10 straight serves as well. The Fillys found themselves up 23-5. After a side out point, Kenzie Schott came in and served for the game winning point. The Fillys won the game and pushed their season record to 2-1.
The Maroon game followed the gold team’s victory. Starting out receiving in the first set, the Fillys found themselves down by 5. Slowly but surely, the Fillys started to come back against the Wildcats. After being down 8-17, the Fillys made a run, and before they knew it, the score was 23-24. With the game on the line, the Wildcats were able to side out and score the winning point. The Fillys dropped the first set 23-25.

Early in the 2nd set, the score was 10-9 in favor of Carrizo Springs. The back and forth battle continued 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 16-16, and 19-19. After that, the Wildcats made it 19-22. The Fillys stood their ground, fighting for each and every ball, and each and every point. In the end though, Carrizo won the 2nd set 25-20, capturing the win.
On Saturday, the Fillys hosted their home tournament. In the first game of the morning, the Fillys took on Hondo. In the first set, the Fillys jumped out to a 8-2 lead, but the Owls came up even at 13-13. After that, Devine took the edge 20-19. Hondo then earned their way to a 21-24 lead. The Fillys did a great job holding them off, but Hondo ended up taking the first set, 21-25.  In the 2nd set, it was a point for point battle through 8-8. It was then that Hondo scored 7 straight points. After gathering themselves, Devine sat in good position at 19-21. From that point Hondo took the set 19-25.
In the second game for the Fillys, they met up with Pleasanton. Devine was up early 11-7. Just a few minutes later, Devine still led 23-22. Unfortunately, Pleasanton took the next few points in this tight battle, winning the set 25-23. The second set was almost as close with the two teams tied at 16-16 and 17-17. PLeasanton was able to hold their serve 23-19. They were then able to score two more points, winning the set 25-20 and taking the game.
In the afternoon game, the Fillys came up against the Poth Pirates. In, once again, a point for point battle, the Fillys held strong early. After leading late in the game at 21-16, the Pirates took the first set 25-16. In the second set, Poth jumped out to an early lead. The Fillys fought back and continued to battle, the team from Poth was too much for them, and they took the set 25-17, winning the game.
Even though the day was full of struggles for the Fillys, there were many bright points. They have grasped the concept of hit defense and played well against all three teams that solidly hit against them. They fought back again and again in every game. Serve receive and passing were much improved from the game just a few days earlier in the week. Hitters were getting hittable set, and were able to put many of them down. It was definitely a good showing for the Fillys, even though they did not end up victorious.

Last Friday, September 16, Devine’s freshman Arabian volleyball team traveled to the home of the Pleasanton Eagles for their third district game of the season. It was a hard fought and big win for the girls in three sets. ” We had a tough start to the game in the 1st set. Our hitters struggled a bit as we weren’t able to finish points. After talking between sets we were a new team the next two sets. Our energy was up and we did a much better job finishing plays like we should. Bella Flores and Gabby Mendez stepped up for us in the front row the next two sets. This helped us get into a rhythm and keep up our intensity. I’m so proud of the girls for not giving up and fighting for every single point as it was a battle till the end. I do want to give a shout out to the back row, that did a great job for us in serve receive and defensively the entire game. That being said, everyone stepped up and played a role in this big win for us. It was an exciting game to be a part of! One step closer to being district champs,”- Coach Stacey.
As a team the girls had a total of eight digs, sixteen assists, nine aces, and sixteen kills. Leading in digs for the night was #6 Bella Flores with three digs and six kills. Gabby Mendez had a total of nine assists as well as three aces. Set points were as follows; 18-25, 25-19, and 15-12.
Digs: Bella Flores-3, Aimee CArr-1, Payton Applewhite-1, Jaylynn Hernandez-1, Cami Carroll-1, Macie Grubb-1. Assists: Gabby Mendez-9, Cami Carroll-7. Aces: Gabby Mendez-3, Cami Carroll-2, Bella Flores-2, Payton Applewhite-1, Aimee Carr-1. Kills: Bella Flores-6, Gabby Mendez-5, Cami Carroll-2, Macie Grubb-1, Aimee Carr-1, Brilee Carroll-1.

Freshman Arabians vs Carrizo Springs

Last Tuesday night the Arabians traveled to Carrizo Springs on September 13 to face the Wildcats for their second district game of the season. Fortunately the girls came out on top 2-0. Set points were as follows; 25-8, and 25-11.
“Officially 2-0 in District. The girls did a great job staying together and maintaining focus the entire time. I saw great things from everyone tonight however I do have to give a shout out to Brilee Carroll who took over in the front row. She led the team with 4 kills for the night. Cami Carroll had 9 aces and Aimee Carr with 5 did a great job serving for us as well. Stoked for the good competition on Friday in Pleasanton,”- Coach Stacey.
As a team the girls had a total of seven assists, twenty-four aces, eight kills, and one block.
Assists: Cami Carroll-4, and Gabby Mendez-3. Aces: Cami Carroll-9, Aimee Carr-5, Gabby Mendez-4, Bella Flores-3, Lilly Owen-2, Brilee Carroll-1. Kills: Brilee Carroll-4, Aimee Carr-2, Gabby Mendez-2. Blocks: Taylin Herrera-1.

This past week the Devine Arabian Junior Varsity volleyball girls competed against Carrizo Springs and Pleasanton for district play. They were able to defeat Carrizo but struggled with Pleasanton.
They are now 2-1 in district with the loss to Pleasanton last Friday. 
Stats for Pleasanton Game: JV went 3 games losing the 3rd set 11-15. Kynedie Cruz had 2 digs, 7 Assists , 4 kills and 1 block ; Oakley Malone; 4 digs 8 Assists 3 kills; Charlee Rangel; 4 digs, 1 assists, 1 ace; Yaya Rodriguez: 2 digs, 7 kills;Katie Rios: 3 digs 1 assits 1 ace; Lynn Lawler: 1 dig 1 ace; Mckenzie Savage: 4 kills ; Sarah Stodal: 2 kills; Savannah Parker: 1 kill; andBrooke Thompson: 1 ace, 2 kills, 1 block.

Last Tuesday Devine Arabian #3 Rylee Esquibel got her 1000th career kill. The Arabians celebrated her with a picture signed by the volleyball team.

Last Tuesday, September 13, Devine’s varsity Arabian volleyball team traveled to Carrizo to face the Wildcats for their second district game of the season. The girls won in three sets; 25-16, 25-21, and 25-15. This officially makes them 2-0 for the season.
As a team the girls had a total of thirty-one kills, eleven aces, three blocks, forty-three digs, and twenty-nine assists. Leading in kills was #3 Rylee Esquibel with thirteen as well as three aces. Kate Featherly had a total of nineteen assists as well as three aces. Skylar Blanton took control of the net with a total of four blocks. Avery Cruz led in the number of digs with a total of thirteen.
Kills: Esquibel-13, Miller-10, Blanton-5, Morales-2, Oropeza-1. Aces: Esquibel-3, Featherly-3, Kelsey Dishman-3, Cruz-1, Kaylee Romano-1. Blocks: Blanton-3, Morales-1. Digs: Cruz-13, Esquibel-7, Moralez-5, Featherly-5, Morales-4, Oropeza-3, Dishman-3, Miller-2, Blanton-1. Assists: Featherly-19, Dishman-5, Miller-1, Morales-1, Moralez-1, Esquibel-1, Cruz-1.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Devine’s 16-play, 73-yard touchdown-scoring drive to open Friday night’s showdown against the visiting Hondo Owls set the tone for what kind of night the Warhorses were going to have as they mashed their way to a convincing 34-6 victory to run their record to 4-0 on the season with a matchup in the Honey Bowl versus Uvalde on tap this Friday night.

Continue reading “Warhorses stick it to the Owls 34-6”

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The JV Horses came out firing on all cylinders last Thursday in Geronimo as they defeated Navarro 5-1 in teach team’s final scrimmage before their season openers this Thursday. Devine takes on San Antonio Memorial. The JV and Freshman teams will combine for a single game at Veterans Memorial Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 5:30pm.
“We were much improved this week after scrimmaging Pleasanton and getting another week of practice under our belt,” said JV Offensive Coordinator Heath Poppe. “The offensive linemen and tight ends created some huge holes for our running backs to get through.”
Poppe was referring to Wyatt Stevens, Sam Diaz, Luis Jimenez, Robert Hernandez, Henry Ramirez, Adam Guerrero, and Ethan Appling as the studs of his offensive line group while the referenced tight ends were Gavin Socarras, Tate Wisenbaker, and Aidan Salazar.
“Quarterback Jacob Rodriguez did an excellent job passing the ball the week,” Poppe continued with his post-scrimmage assessment. “His pocket presence has really improved and his arm strength has increased considerably.”
Devine got things started quickly with Eli Contreras hitting paydirt from 4-yards out to put the first of five touchdowns on the board for the JV. Anthony Saldivar got the first of his two touchdowns on a 2 yard run to make it 2-0 Horses.
Edward Perez made it 3-0 on a 1-yard run before Navarro flipped the script with their own 1-yard run to pull within 3-1.
Contreras got his second touchdown of the evening on a 15-yard pass reception from Rodriguez to give Devine its three-touchdown lead back at 4-1.
Saldivar scored the final touchdown for either team on an 18-yard run, providing the 5-1 final score.
“I can’t wait for these games to start counting. Hopefully we can continue this offensive onslaught throughout the season,” Poppe said in closing.
Give ‘em the D!
Devine’s five-touchdown performance on the offensive side of the ball is well worth highlighting. However, with the type of offensive numbers Navarro has consistently put on the stat lines the last couple of decades one might have expected the Panthers to get more than just a single touchdown.
“I feel like our kids really showed up on both sides of the ball,” said JV Defensive Coordinator Bart Oropeza. “Even that one touchdown took a lot of effort for them to execute. All of our players brought out their full intensity on their side of the ball.”
According to Oropeza, spotlight players defensively were all the defense players. Tate Wisenbacker, Eli Contreras, Gavin Socarras, Adam Guerrero, Tony Saldivar, Jacob Rodriguez, Robert Hernandez, Ethan Appling, Aiden Salazar, Alfredo Ramirez, Edward Perez, Sam Diaz, and Trinidad Hernadez.

Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
The Devine freshman football team completed its second of two scrimmages over in Geronimo against Navarro last Thursday. The Panthers topped the Horses 4-1 overall as the Horses ready to open their season August 25 against San Antonio Memorial. The Freshman and JV teams will combine for a single game at Veterans Memorial Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 5:30pm.
“We started off strong, with quarterback Karter Brown connecting with Mario Vicente on a 35-yard touchdown throw to open things up,” said Coach Steven Estrada. “Overall we did a great job, played hard and look forward to Memorial.”
Estrada pointed out the linemen Christian San Miguel and Nate Martinez stood out on the offensive side of the ball with defensively linebackers Riley Gutierrez and Christian Monreal “filled the gaps and made some solid tackles.” He also stated that Tyler Hinnant had a good scrimmage at defensive end.
Although Devine had only the one score, they did have several other nice plays offensively.
“We made some plays, but some drives were stalled due to various mistakes on either blocking assignments or turnovers,” said Coach Evan Eads. “I take part of the blame in calling a few of the wrong plays as well.”
Ryan Weinkam had a good night from the offensive backfield. Eads stated Weinkam “had an impressive 25-yard run” and that he has “great vision on our signature sweep play.”
“Tyler Hinnant had a good night at the tight end position, and has been one of our better players throughout two-a-days,” Eads said in closing.

The Devine High School Tennis team played their district match against Uvalde on August 18th.
Varsity results
Victor Schaefer/Logan Davis lost 0-6,1-6; Victor lost 3-6,2-6, Logan lost 0-6,0-6.
Ethin Erwin/Hector Garza lost 1-6,2-6; Ethin lost 2-6,4-6, Hector lost 2-6,3-6.
Ethan Gelinas/Tanner Davis lost 1-6,2-6; Ethan lost 1-6,2-6, Tanner lost 2-6,0-6.
Jordan Erxleben/Savanna Pequeno lost 1-6,2-6; Jordan lost 1-6,0-6, Savanna lost 4-6,0-6.
Kelsey Dishman/Oakley Malone lost 4-6,6-4,4-10; Kelsey lost 1-6,3-6, Oakley lost 6-8.
Joselyn Guajardo/Brianna Schaefer lost 3-6,2-6; Joselyn lost 0-6,4-6, Brianna lost 1-6,1-6.
Johnathon Gelinas/Danelly Rodriguez won 6-3,6-4; Johnathon lost 1-6,3-6, Danelly lost 1-6,2-6.

JV results
Brooks Poppe lost 0-8, Adam Salinas lost 4-8, Bobby Herrera lost 2-8, Matthew Pequeno lost 0-8, Lucas Head lost 1-8, Isaiah Camacho lost 1-8, Trinity Spurgers lost 3-8, Victoria Nunez won 8-3, Bailey Ornelas lost 4-8, Samson Yanez lost 0-8, Jeremiah Cardenas lost 0-8, Jilliyn Guajardo lost 6-8, Adam Moreno lost 1-8, Iris Stricker won 8-6, Curtis Kuykendall lost 0-8, Juan Zamaro lost 1-8, Jacelyn Delaney lost 1-8, Michael Biediger lost 0-8, Felix Mendoza lost 0-8, Zack Martinez lost 1-8, Abby Saunders lost 3-8, Alanna Monreal 2-8, Adam Salinas lost 2-8, Matthew Pequeno lost 0-8, Brooks Poppe won 8-4, Kellie Brown lost 2-8, Isaiah Camacho lost 0-8, Bobby Herrera won 8-5, Lily Lawless lost 6-8, Lucas Head lost 3-8, Cydney Shuler lost 0-8, Savanah Shuler lost 4-8, Miranda Guerrero lost 0-8, Jacelyn Delaney lost 0-8, Eirys Wallace lost 0-8, Abby Saunders won 8-4, Hope Ramirez won 8-0, Kellie Brown lost 7-9, Victoria Nunez/Trinity Spurgers won 8-5, Curtis Kuykendall/Jeremiah Cardenas lost 2-8, Zack Martinez/Samson Yanez lost 1-8, Isaiah Camacho/Lucas Head lost 1-8, Michael Biediger/Felix Mendoza lost 0-6, Hope Ramirez/Miranda Guerrero lost 2-8, Alanna Monreal/Iris Stricker won 6-3, Isaiah Camacho/Lucas Head lost 0-8, Brooks Poppe/Adam Salinas lost 0-8, Cydney Shuler/Savanah Shuler lost 0-8, Iris Stricker/Alanna Monreal lost 3-8, Matthew Pequeno/Bobby Herrera lost 3-8, Felix Mendoza/Michael Biediger lost 0-8, Juan Zamora/Adam Moreno lost 2-8, Brooks Poppe/Adam Salinas won 8-2, Cydney Shuler/Savanah Shuler won 6-2, Jacelyn Delaney/Kelli Brown lost 1-8, Abby Saunders/Jilliyn Guajardo lost 7-9.
Devine played Tuloso-Midway on Friday, August 19, a highly ranked team. “Overall we lost 5-14 to a highly ranked team. We were very competitive and fought to the very end. This is the best performance we have had in 3 years playing T-M at their house. I am excited about the progress we are making, and look forward to having a chance to avenge our last year performance against Hondo on Wednesday,” said Coach Felter.
Victor Schaefer/Logan Davis lost 1-6,3-6, Victor won 5-7,6-3,10-5, Logan lost 1-6,0-6, Ehtin Erwin/Hector Garza lost 1-6, 2-6, Ethin lost 1-6,1-6, Hector lost 1-6,3-6, Ethan Gelinas/Tanner Davis lost 1-6,2-6, Tanner lost 1-6,2-6, Ethan lost 0-4,0-4, Ethan lost 2-4,1-4, Brooks Poppe lost 0-4,0-4, then lost 1-4,0-4, then lost 0-4,0-4, Johnathon Gelinas/Kelsey Dishman won 5-3,5-7,10-7, Johnathon lost 2-6,3-6, Kelsey won 6-3,7-6(7-3), Savanna Pequeno/Jordan Erxleben lost 4-6,1-6, Jordan lost 2-6,0-6, Savanna lost 3-6,6-2,5-10, Danelly Rodriguez/Victoria Nunez won 6-3,6-1, Danelly Rodriguez lost 6-7,3-6, Victoria lost 3-6,5-7, Oakley Malone/Joselyn Guajardo won 6-7(8-10),6-4,10-4, Oakley lost 3-5,0-4, Joselyn won 4-0,4-1, Brianna lost 0-4,1-4, then won 4-0,4-2.
“We had a very disappointing performance against a very good Uvalde team,” said Coach Mark Feltner.
Wednesday, August 24th they head to Hondo for their second district match.

Last Friday the Arabian varsity volleyball team played their first games in the annual tournament after competing in a tough tournament in Columbus the weekend before. This last week marks a total of twenty games in just two weeks for the Arabians!
For the Arabians first match on Friday they went up against a quick Fox Tech varsity team and came out on top 2-0. The stats for this game resulted in 27 kills, 3 aces, 3 blocks, and 46 digs.
Kills: #3 Rylee Esquibel-9, #7 Brooklyn Miller-8, #12 Skylar Blanton-4, #4 Kaitlyn Morales-4, #5 Bailey Oropeza-2. Aces: #10 Kate Featherly-2, #2 Avery Cruz-1.
Blocks: Esquibel-1, Morales-1, Blanton-1.
Leading in amount of digs for this match was senior Libero #2 Avery Cruz with 16 of the 46 digs. Way to go Arabians!
The Arabians then played their second match of the day against the Natalia Mustangs. This was a easy win for the Arabians once again going 2-0. This match’s stats resulted in a total of 22 kills, 9 aces, 2 blocks, and 22 digs.
Kills: Esquibel-9, Oropeza-5, Morales-3, Blanton-3, Miller-2. Aces: Kelsey Dishman-3, Morales-3, Cruz-2, Kaylee Romano-1.
Blocks: Blanton-2. Digs: Cruz-9, Kristina Moralez-6, Featherly-3, Dishman-1, Miller-1, Morales-1, Esquibel-1.
The Arabians finished first in their bracket on Friday beating Three Rivers 2-0, placing them into the championship bracket for Saturday.
In their match against Three Rivers the stats were 24 kills, 9 aces, 1 block, and 24 digs.
Kills: Esquibel-9, Miller-6, Oropeza-4, Morales-2, Blanton-2, Brumage-1.
Aces: Dishman-3, Romano-3, Cruz-2, Featherly-1. Blocks: Brumage-1.
Digs: Cruz-15, Moralez-2, Morales-2, Dishman-2, Esquibel-1, Miller-1, Featherly-1.
Unfortunately no stats are available for Saturday’s tournament play, however the Arabians did place second overall! The girls first match against Anderson was won 2-1. The girls then played a tough Harper team ultimately coming out on top. This put the girls into the championship game pitted against the tough and aggressive Pleasanton Eagles. No stats are available. Way to play Arabians!
Congrats to senior #2 Avery Cruz and junior #3 Rylee Esquibel for being named to the All Tournament Team!
The Arabians will resume play Tuesday night (press night) against the Crystal City Javelinas. Come out and support, make sure to be loud! These girls are fun to watch!