In the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game the freshman Panthers were deadlocked at 22-22 with Pecos after multiple lead changes.

The Panther defense needed a critical stop and a quick score with little time remaining to come away with a win in regulation.

Fort Stockton’s defense did just that and Cedric Lopez made the most of the opportunity on the other side of the ball with a 74-yard run to endzone to secure a 30-22 victory for the Panthers.

“It came down to who's defense was going to make the big stop, and let the offense have the last opportunity to win the game for their team,” coach Lea Daggett said.

Lopez started the game in a similar matter as he ended it.

The freshman scored on a 47-yard run in the first quarter to give Fort Stockton a 6-0 lead out of the gates – one of four scores for Lopez.

Pecos responded with a pair of scores in the first half to take a 14-6 lead.

Fort Stockton tied it 14-all before halftime via a two-yard run from Lopez and added a 2-point conversion from Gerry Diaz.

The Panthers took a 22-14 lead in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard Lopez run and Pecos tied it at 22-22 in the same frame.

Fort Stockton improved their record to 8-1 with the win. They’ll host Fabens for their season finale on Thursday, Nov. 3.