LUBBOCK, TX — The Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Patriots (0-4) hosted the Fort Stockton Panthers (4-0) in the Patriots 2024 Home Debut. The Patriots opened up Liberty Park on Homecoming Night, with hopes of christening the new stadium with the first win in program history. The game came down to the wire and required a touchdown drive with less than two minutes for the Patriotes to claim victory. Lubbock-Cooper Liberty won, 35-28.
The Liberty Patriots jumped out to an early lead at the end of the 1st quarter. After several successful runs pushed the Patriots down the field, quarterback Colton Bichard found Will Hutson on an 8-yard pass in the end zone for the game's first points. Lubbock-Cooper Liberty led 7-0, with 3:01 to go in the 1st quarter. Fort Stockton responded quickly with a touchdown.
The Liberty defense allowed an explosive 40+ yard run for the Panthers' first points. A blocked extra point left the score 7-6. After the Patriots' offense had to punt the ball away, the defense made up for their earlier mistake when Liberty caused a fumble. The Patriots handed the ball back to the offense at Fort Stockton's 22-yard line. Two plays later, Bichard found Koleman Hendrix all alone in the middle of the field for a 23-yard touchdown.
The Panthers proved resilience with another touchdown with less than five minutes to play before that half. After a long drive with several tough runs by Fort Stockton's runningbacks, quarterback Kasch Norman called his own number. He weaved through the Patriot defense for a 20-yard score.
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty had time for one final march before the half. With time winding down, the Patriots hit several runs from Talon Wilcox to put Liberty in range of another score. Wilcox left no doubt with an impressive touchdown run with just over a minute to play. Both teams headed to the locker room with the Patriots up at the half, 21-13.
The Lubbock-Cooper Liberty Patriots after their first win in Program History
(South Plains LIVE! Photo/Ryan Chadwick)
The 3rd quarter was a defensive battle, with Fort Stockton forcing a turnover on downs and Lubbock-Cooper Liberty snagging an interception before the Panthers finally broke the stalemate. Fort Stockton capped off a long march with another touchdown run to pull back within one point with virtually no time remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The Patriots responded well in the 4th quarter. In a drive that required two 4th down conversions, Liberty stretched their lead back to eight points from a touchdown pass to Nash Gonzales on 4th and long from Fort Stockton's 11-yard line.
The Panthers stayed strong and had another productive drive with less than five minutes to play. After another touchdown run and a successful 2-point conversion that took two minutes off the clock, the game was tied 28-28.
Earlier in the season, this LIberty team might have faltered. They had been in two other close games that came down to the wire, and they lost. But on Friday night, the Patriots would not be denied. Bichard led the hurry-up offense on a quick-strike possession that chewed up yardage and moved Liberty down the field. On 2nd down and short at Fort Stockton's 39-yard line, Gonzales became the hero the Patriots needed for a second time. Bichard launched a deep ball to a streaking Gonzales, who caught the football near the pylon. He scored and gave Liberty the final lead they would need with 30 seconds left in the 4th quarter.
Watch the game-winning drive below:
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty's defense came up huge on Fort Stockton's last gasp. The Patriots forced a fumble and jumped on the ball for a takeaway. Bichard kneeled out the remaining time on the clock and the Patriots claimed victory on homecoming night in their home debut, 35-28.
Head Coach Joe Sexton was incredibly complimentary of his team after the win. It was his first win as the varsity head football coach at Liberty, but he gave all the credit to the boys on the field. Watch that interview below:
The Patriots return to action on Friday, October 4, when Liberty hosts Midland Greenwood at Liberty Park in Lubbock. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
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