Stewart, Gaston help LR Central hold off Cabot’s late rally
LR Central 24, Cabot 16
October 30, 2026
CABOT — Ray Stewart scored twice and Ricky Gaston returned a fumble 70 yards for a touchdown as LR Central (2-7, 1-5) held off Cabot (3-6, 2-4) 24-16 Friday night at Panther Stadium.
The Tigers built a 24-2 lead before Cabot scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Zechariah Moriarty intercepted a pass on the Panthers’ final possession, ending the comeback and helping Central secure its first conference victory.
Stewart capped a nine-play, 65-yard opening drive with a five-yard touchdown run from a direct snap with 6:46 remaining in the first quarter. Gaston later returned a fumble for a touchdown after a Cabot receiver lost the ball following a catch. Both extra points were good, giving Central a 14-0 advantage.
Cabot’s Carson Nyborg sacked Montrell Thompson in the end zone for a second-quarter safety. Central answered before halftime with a 30-yard field goal with six seconds remaining, taking a 17-2 lead into the break.
The Panthers lost starting quarterback Tyce Fletcher to a first-half injury and turned to Easton Pifer. Cabot also used Cannon Moore in its direct-snap offense; Moore had 53 yards on 14 carries at halftime, according to the broadcast’s statistics.
Stewart added a short touchdown run with 8:20 remaining in the third quarter. The successful extra point extended Central’s lead to 22 points.
Cabot began its comeback with Clay Jones’ 10-yard run around the left side with 10:22 remaining. The extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the Panthers down 24-8.
Pifer later recovered a mishandled snap, escaped pressure and flipped a pass to Bryce Moore for a gain deep into Central territory. The Panthers kept the drive alive and Pifer found Cannon Moore for a six-yard touchdown pass. Bryce Moore ran for the two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to eight.
Central recovered the ensuing onside kick. Cabot eventually got another possession, but Moriarty’s interception closed the door. The Tigers ran out the remaining time to complete the victory.
Scoring Summary
First quarter
6:46 — LR Central: Ray Stewart five-yard run (kick good). LR Central 7, Cabot 0.
Time unavailable — LR Central: Ricky Gaston 70-yard fumble return (kick good). LR Central 14, Cabot 0.
Second quarter
Time unavailable — Cabot: Carson Nyborg sacks Montrell Thompson in the end zone for a safety. LR Central 14, Cabot 2.
0:06 — LR Central: 30-yard field goal, kicker’s name unverified. LR Central 17, Cabot 2.
Third quarter
8:20 — LR Central: Ray Stewart short touchdown run (kick good). LR Central 24, Cabot 2.
Fourth quarter
10:22 — Cabot: Clay Jones 10-yard run (kick blocked). LR Central 24, Cabot 8.
Time unavailable — Cabot: Cannon Moore six-yard pass from Easton Pifer (Bryce Moore two-point run). LR Central 24, Cabot 16.
All scoring included, including the safety. Three exact times and Central’s kicker identity remain unverified.
Players Who Stood Out
Ray Stewart, LR Central — Two rushing touchdowns, including a five-yard direct-snap score on the opening drive.
Ricky Gaston, LR Central — 70-yard fumble-return touchdown in the first quarter.
Zechariah Moriarty, LR Central — Interception on Cabot’s final possession preserved the victory.
Carson Nyborg, Cabot — Second-quarter sack in the end zone for a safety.
Clay Jones, Cabot — 10-yard touchdown run with 10:22 remaining.
Easton Pifer, Cabot — Six-yard touchdown pass to Cannon Moore; escaped a mishandled snap and completed a pass to Bryce Moore during the scoring drive.
Cannon Moore, Cabot — Six-yard touchdown reception; 14 carries for 53 yards at halftime.
Bryce Moore, Cabot — Caught Pifer’s improvised pass during the final scoring drive and ran for the two-point conversion.