In past seasons, Devine was known for a grind-it-out running game – and the Warhorses were darned good at it. Joseph Sadler carried them to the Class 3A quarterfinals two years ago, setting a Texas single-season scoring record in the process.

Sadler is long gone, though, and the Warhorses (1-0) didn’t resemble their former selves Friday at Southside. In its 10^th year under coach Chad Quisenberry, the ground-oriented program began the season with 236 passing yards in a 49-20 decision over the Cardinals.

“We knew their quarterback could throw,” Southside coach Paul Haberer said of Devine starter Hunter DuBose. “He has a pretty good arm. We didn’t know that they’d throw that much, but we knew they were capable. He did a good job.

“We blew a couple of coverages, but that will just get us better.”

Devine couldn’t move the ball in its first offensive series, after stopping the Cardinals (0-1) at its 30. On the Warhorses’ second try, after a 16-yard punt, DuBose (9 of 15, 147 yards) completed two passes to Chad Trevino (3 receptions, 90 yards) to fuel a drive that running back Pat Mares ended by scoring on a 24-yard sweep.

Following the first of Southside sophomore quarterback Johnny Trevino’s four interception, Devine reverted to the ground game, and Ricky Rios ran 31 yards for a touchdown. The Warhorses had a 14-0 cushion with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

“We got better from last week to this week,” Haberer said. “Devine’s a class program. That’s why we schedule them the first week of the season. Now we know what we need to work on, what we need to get better at and what we’re capable of doing.”

The Warhorses added a third touchdown before the Cardinals were able to put points on the board.

A 67-yard scoring drive early in the second quarter was characterized by quarterback Eric Trogdon, who alternated with DuBose, completing two throws that covered all but 11 of those yards. Trogdon (4 of 6, 89 yards) scored on a five-yard carry.

Southside recovered the ensuing onside kick and found itself just 36 yards from the end zone.

On the first play of the series, Trevino (20 carries, 113 yards) displayed the deft ballhandling that made him a first-down threat each time he elected to keep the ball. The 6-foot-2 sophomore dashed 16 yards to the red zone.

He carried four times for 30 yards on the drive, completing it with a five-yard run 4:45 before halftime.

“Johnny has a great upside,” Haberer said. “He has a lot of great kids around him. Everybody will jump in and help him mature. We’ll get it going.”

Devine clearly fed off its growing momentum, while Southside’s was short-lived.

On the kickoff following Trevino’s score, Mares launched himself into a seam up the middle of the field. He ran 90 yards to increase Devine’s lead to 27-7.

An interception by Rios returned the ball to the Warhorses and another big play quickly developed. Trevino streaked down the left sideline on a fly route and was gone for a 69-yard touchdown.

A Devine penalty on the kickoff provided the Cardinals with a short field, and their quarterback was about to produce the finest moments of his first start.

Trevino ran for a yard, then completed five consecutive passes. The last was a perfect strike to a leaping Jake Ramos from the 10-yard line. The Cardinals were within 35-14 and halftime was 31 seconds away.

Neither team scored in the third quarter, so the next touchdown loomed large.

Devine seized the opportunity, yet again. An eight-yard pass from DuBose to Mares with 9:31 to play effectively sealed Southside’s fate.

“He’s a good, little back,” Haberer said. “When he caught that little slip screen, we had nobody home. He’s exciting.”

Last year, the Cardinals started two sophomore backs. Neither was in uniform Friday.

Aaron Porras sat out because of a knee injury. Cisco Flores has transferred to Holy Cross, where he’s the starting quarterback.

In their absence, Jimmy Rodriguez ran for 65 yards on 11 attempts. He gained an important five yards, following a 48-yard scamper from Trevino, leaving Southside at the Devine 1. Rodriguez also picked the game’s last 24 yards on three-consecutive carries.

“He can run,” Haberer said. “Those were his first varsity carries and he was running hard.”

Trevino’s second touchdown, on a six-yard run, closed the Cardinals within 42-20 with 2:21 remaining. However, Devine responded one last time. The Warhorses covered 51 yards on11 running plays, culminating with Joe Guerrrero’s 19-yard touchdown 43 seconds from the end.

The Cardinals will play at Southside Stadium next week, in the second of three-straight home games to start the season. Next Friday’s opponent is Sam Houston, which lost 63-0 to Brackenridge Friday.

“If we hang onto the ball,” Haberer said, “and don’t make big mistakes on defense, we’ll be all right.”