The Devine Warhorses will take their undefeated record to the Honey Bowl to take on the Uvalde Coyotes Friday night.
Devine (4-0) is not only undefeated, but dominantly so. They’ve outscored their opponents 159-15. As is the Devine tradition, they feature the running game; Ethan Santos has 65 carries for 617 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Gabriel Esquivel has 58 rushes for 395 yards and 8 touchdowns. Santos also has two touchdown catches and an 82 yard kickoff return touchdown this year. Each has more rushes and yards than quarterback Samuel Guardiola has pass attempts (41) or yards (326.) Devine has given up no more than 199 yards (against Natalia) or 6 points (Crystal City and Hondo) in any game this season.
Uvalde (3-1) rebounded from their loss at Poteet with a victory at Crystal City last Friday. Brodie Carnes and Chris Rodriguez shared quarterback duties once again. The Coyotes overcame a 6-0 deficit with 23 consecutive points, starting with a 6 yard touchdown run by Rodriguez. Uvalde then scored a safety, and Jonathan Jimenez returned the ensuing free kick 65 yards for a touchdown. The Coyotes put up those 16 points in a 2:50 span early in the second quarter. Carnes added a 33 yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Hernandez early in the fourth quarter.
Carnes threw for 238 yards and a touchdown at Crystal City; Chris Rodriguez had 42 yards total offense. Jimenez had 89 yards receiving to go with his punt return score.
Devine has made the playoffs 20 years in a row, and is expected to make the postseason again this year. Despite their streak, they haven’t advanced to the second round since 2015.
Devine completes their non-district schedule against Davenport next week; Uvalde has an open date, then opens district play on October 7th at Boerne.
Mark Kusenberger
September 18, 2022
Read more from Mark on his blog at https://mkusenberger.wixsite.com/website/blog