February 2024

Last night we watched the Super Bowl. As we all watched intently it looked like my team was going to lose. My team did not give in and in some spectacular way they won. Hurray! That event reminds me of something in the Bible. Around 2000 years ago a great battle took place. No, it was not a place where great armies lined up on the battlefield and fought it out.

Our consumer society has done a remarkable thing. It has convinced us that our desires are immutable and undeniable; that we are defined by longings and are powerless to change or resist them. With some desires this is true. I cannot deny my desire for oxygen—it is hardwired into my brain, but my craving for sugar is a physical and psychological desire that can be heightened or diminished. Our culture and the economic powers that propel it, however, want us to believe that every desire is hardwired; that we are mere victims of our appetites.

With early voting for the March 5 primary beginning Feb. 20, the Fort Stockton Pioneer began sending surveys to Pecos County candidates for office in early February.

The JV Panther Tennis Team started their individual season at Monahans Feb. 8 and had a great show out, bringing back a third-place mixed doubles medal with a team made up of freshman duo Braedon Tolbert and Aubrey Ramirez. Continuing success after a shaky first round, both girls singles gained confidence and making it to the consolation finals. In the consolation final showdown, Valeria Palacios bested teammate Amelia Ingram to take that medal.

DENVER CITY – The Fort Stockton Prowlers season came to an end Monday night in Denver City with a 75-11 loss to No. 8 Canyon High School.

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The Fort Stockton Powerlifting had a good meet last weekend as the team competed in Kermit. Most, if not all, lifters hit new personal records on at least one of their lifts.

The Fort Stockton Panthers baseball squad travelled to Presidio for their first baseball scrimmage of the season on Feb. 6, downing the Blue Devils, 8-2. The Panthers got off to a quick start by scoring four runs in the first three innings. The defense for the Panthers was excellent as they only allowed two runs on the night. The Panthers scored eight runs on nine hits and were error-free on the night.

The Panther and Prowler golf teams made an impressive showing at the Pecos Invitational. A total of 18 Panther and Prowler kids participated in the golf tournament, proudly representing our community on the course.

The Varsity Panthers basketball team lost to Greenwood on Friday night, 90-56. In a game that would have allowed them a chance to control their playoff destiny, the team came out slow and was out scored in the first quarter 25-8. With 18 points from Diego Ronquillo and another 10 from Adric Gallegos, the Panthers shot their way back, but ultimately fell short.