Not even a steady rain could cool off Antonian running back Sterling Holmes, who continued his torrid pace in the Apaches' 27-6 victory against Devine in a nondistrict game Friday night at Ferrara Memorial Stadium.
Holmes, a senior, rushed for 233 yards and three touchdowns to help Antonian improve to 4-0. in a game that was called with 5:47 because of lightning and a torrential downpour.
"I'm real proud of our kids and how they've responded," said Antonian coach Van Fuschak, who is in his second season at the private school after a long stint at MacArthur. "We've played three public schools now, and one private school. If you can come out of that winning them, you've got something special here."
The game marked the third time this season Holmes has eclipsed the 200-yard mark. He has rushed for 798 yards and 13 TDs, and is on pace to surpass his totals from last year when he ran for 1,326 yards and 27 TDs.
"I knew it was going to be a rough game because they have a good defense," Holmes said. "The rain made it crazy, but my offensive line made my job a whole lot easier."
The Apaches' offensive line is manned by brothers Jeff and John Earl on the left side, center Nick Grimaldi, right guard Roel Ramon and right tackle Justin Roberson. Fullback Patrick Trinidad also has played a key role in springing Holmes loose.
"We have a good offensive line and a fullback that does a great job of blocking," Fuschak said. "We'll continue to pound the ball. in there. Our deal is to keep the clock running and get first downs. We want to keep their offense off the field."
Devine senior Fraga rushed for 175 yards
Fuschak praised Holmes for sharing the credit with his teammates.
"Sterling has a great attitude," Fuschak said. "He's not a selfish kid. He's very quiet. He does what he does on the field. He leads by example. He's a strong kid. He doesn't run around people. He can lower his shoulder and run over you. He's just fun to coach because he's a very coachable kid.
"He doesn't complain and he's very complimentary of his teammates. When you've got kids who do that, that buy in and just feel that it's other people who are involved in helping the team be successful, that really makes a better person. I'm really proud of him."
Antonian beat Navarro (35-21), Holy Cross (35-6) and Boerne (37-0) before hosting Devine. The Warhorses traditionally are one of the better Class 3A teams in the San Antonio area, but they had trouble sustaining any momentum against the Apaches.
Senior running back Jordan Fraga, who rushed for 175 yards, gave Devine (3-1) its only lead of the game when he scored a 1-yard TD on the game's first possession.
Antonian took the lead for good on the ensuing possession, capping a nine-play, 51-yard drive with quarterback Chad Tatum's 1-yard TD. Diego Valdez kicked the extra point to put the Apaches ahead 7-6.
Holmes scored on a 22-yard run the next time Antonian got the ball, extending the Apaches' lead to 13-6 with 1:39 left in the first quarter. The extra-point kick failed.
Still trailing 13-6, Devine had a promising drive fizzle when free safety Michael Gdovin intercepted a pass inside the Antonian 10 with seconds left in the first half.
"I was reading my keys and I saw the receiver come out, and I just broke on the ball," Gdovin said.
The Apaches went ahead 20-6 on Holmes' 13-yard TD with 3:36 left in the third quarter, and raised their lead to 27-6 when Holmes scored on a 2-yard run four plays into the fourth period. Valdez converted the extra-point kicks after each TD.
