Sports

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.

Fort Stockton High School sophomore Meagan Hanson has continued her rise in FFA competition this fall, earning her way back to the Area level in Creed Speaking—one of the organization’s most tradition- rooted leadership events. Hanson sat down with TumbleweedTalk host Carla Vazquez for a student-produced interview, sharing insight into her preparation, her love for public speaking, and the role FFA has played in her growth as a communicator and leader.

Fort Stockton High School Athletic Director and Head Football Coach DJ Howell used his Nov. 19 staff report to the Fort Stockton ISD Board of Trustees to deliver a clear and candid message regarding the future of the Panthers program.

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Fort Stockton basketball season is officially underway across both the high school and middle school levels, with the Panthers and Prowlers stepping into their early contests and setting the foundation for the months ahead. From varsity matchups to middle school tournament preparation, the opening week offered a clear look at each team’s energy, potential, and emerging standouts.

The Fort Stockton Panthers concluded their 2025 football season on Friday night in Andrews, falling 31–17 to the Lubbock Estacado Matadors in the bidistrict round of the Class 4A Division II playoffs.