The Devine JV offensive line overpowered an outmatched Bandera defensive line last Thursday leading the Warhorses to a 52-36 dismantling of the host Bulldogs. Devine rushed for five touchdowns in the more than comfortable 16-point victory that also kept the JV’s record unblemished at 8-0 on the season.
The Horses have two games left with the first against Pearsall at home this Thursday and the season-ender in Crystal City on November 4.
Devine jumped on top early as running back Eli Contreras broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run giving the Horses a 6-0 lead with 3:17 to go in the first quarter.
Bandera struck back quickly as they returned the ensuing kickoff 74 yards for the score. The Bulldogs added the two point conversion to take an 8-6 lead, although that lead did not last very long.
Contreras answered right back with his second touchdown of the game. This one was on a 22-yard run. Wero Torres added the two-pointer to put Devine back in front at 14-8.
With 8:35 on the second quarter clock, Bandera scored from the one-yard line and added the conversion, going back in front 16-14.
The last 4:14 of the first half belonged to Devine as they scored two quick touchdowns to take a 30-16 lead into the halftime break.
The first of the two touchdowns came on a 4th and 12-to-go as Warhorse quarterback Jacob Rodriguez hit Contreras on a 21-yard scoring pass. Contreras added the conversion.
With 0:45 to go, Contreras scored his fourth touchdown of the half on an 82-yard run. Tony Saldivar added the conversion.
Contreras and the Warhorse offense struck once again on a 16-yard run with 7:32 to go in the third quarter. Teotimo Stafford booted the point after attempt to increase Devine’s lead to 37-16.
Bandera’s quarterback caught the Warhorse secondary sleeping as they converted a 27-yard pass play for a touchdown, closing the gap to 37-22.
Twelve-seconds into the fourth quarter, back Alfredo Ramirez busted loose for a 52-yard run. Ramirez also converted the two-point try to boost Devine’s lead to 45-22.
The Bulldogs tested Devine’s secondary once again but came up short as Brayden Reyes intercepted the pass, taking it to the house from 45-yards out. Stafford once again converted the kick as the Horses now led 52-22 with 9:30 to go in the ballgame.
Bandera made the score somewhat respectable with a 3-yard run with 1:18 to go, and a scoop-and-score as the clock ran out at Warhorse Stadium to close out the 52-36 Devine victory.
“Of course when you score a lot of points you have to give credit to the guys up front on the offensive line and tight ends. They did an awesome job blocking all night!” Poppe commented on his guys in the trenches, which includes Jonathon Hzyer, Charles Key, Mason Wallace, Wyatt Stevens, Wyatt LaFond, Luis Jimenez, Adam Guerrero, Enrique Ramirez, Michael Girtz, Hector Bernal, Samuel Diaz, and Joseph Rojas.
All for one
Devine’s freshman and JV team combined as one team this week as Bandera did not have enough players to field two separate sub-varsity teams. This trend will more than likely continue as Pearsall and Crystal City do not have freshman teams at this moment.
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer
Warhorse JV throttles Bandera 52-36; remain unbeaten @ 8-0
