The Indian football team has been preparing all week for tonight’s game in Fort Stockton at 7:30 p.m.

“We have to make big plays,” junior quarterback Brett Hicks said. “We can’t let up on defense. We have to make stops.”

To beat the Panthers, the Indians will need to play well on both sides of the ball.

“We have to contain the quarterback,” sophomore lineman Reese Moore said. “We have to make all the easy tackles, that’s what it will take to win.”

The Indians hope to beat Fort Stockton and gather momentum going into district.

“Take care of the football,” Hicks said. “catch the ball and make blocks, that’s what we need to do to win.”

After beginning the season with two losses, the Indians were able to dominate Kermit, 43-16, on Sept. 11.

“We played relentlessly,” said senior lineman Colton Kissick, who had a nine-yard reception against the Yellowjackets. “We did our job and got the win.”

Although the Indians picked up the win on Sept. 11, improvements must be made to face the tough teams in District 1-4A.

“I thought we could have beaten Greenwood,” Hicks said. “We just came up a little short.”

Hicks threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns in the Idalou game on Sept. 4, while rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for three in the Kermit game. Injuries have also had an effect on the Indian play.

“We’ve lost a lot of guys to injury,” Kissick said. “Some of our guys are playing through it, though, and others are close to returning. We try not to let it affect the way we play, but it doesn’t help.”

The Indians know that preseason outcomes mean nothing since only district wins affect play-off seeding.

“I think the season has been great so far,” Moore said. “We have grown as a team, and that’s what’s important.”

Moore scored against the Yellowjackets on a 25-yard pass from Hicks. As district approaches, the Indians continue to prepare and make the necessary changes to create a team that can contend in district.

“I think we will win district,” Kissick said. “We play hard and we play as a tribe.” The Indians will face Levelland on the Lobo field on Oct. 9 in the first district game.