Sports

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What began as uncertainty over whether Fort Stockton would host its long-running Pop Warner Football Tournament ended with a packed, high-energy weekend that showed just how strongly this community continues to support its youth. In place of what would have been the 19th annual Pop Warner event, more than 400 people filled the fields for the 20th Annual Toys for Tots Flag Football Tournament—a turnout that not only underscored the town’s commitment to tradition, but also demonstrated how quickly Fort Stockton rallies when something matters to its kids.

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Prowlers Battle Through Packed Week The Fort Stockton Prowlers returned from Thanksgiving break with a full slate of games across all levels, highlighted by a one-point varsity heartbreaker at home, strong bounceback wins on the road, and continued growth throughout the middle school program. Coaches from both campuses praised their players’ effort, intensity, and willingness to compete as the season moves into December.

The Fort Stockton Blue Wave Swim Team delivered one of its strongest outings of the season on Saturday, December 6, powering to a second- place overall finish at the 2025 Odessa Invitational. Against a field loaded with deep 5A and 6A programs, Fort Stockton proved once again that heart, discipline, and consistency can close the gap on even the largest of rosters.

Just before Thanksgiving, Fort Stockton senior running back Nick Almendarez sat down with student host Nacho Ramirez on the latest episode of Tumbleweed Talk, sharing an honest and personal look back at his breakout season — one that officially placed him in the Panthers’ record books. Almendarez entered Fort Stockton’s final game against Lubbock Estacado sitting just shy of the 1,000-yard milestone.

The sixth annual West of the Pecos Blowout returned to the Pecos County Coliseum over Thanksgiving weekend, drawing nearly 100 youth exhibitors and 361 total entries for a twoday showcase of cattle, sheep, and goats.

The Fort Stockton Panthers closed out their final contest before Thanksgiving Break still searching for their first win of the young basketball season. The varsity squad hosted Midland on Tuesday, where an experienced Bulldogs team controlled the pace and handed Fort Stockton an 80–57 loss.

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FSMS Teams Surge The high school basketball season continued this past week as the Fort Stockton Panthers and Prowlers navigated a challenging set of non-district matchups, while the middle school programs put together several impressive showings against Pecos and at the Andrews Tournament. The Panther Varsity Boys extended their in-season road stretch with a difficult trip to Levelland on Friday, where momentum proved hard to come by in a 100–52 loss.