Guyer Rolls Past Crowley to Reach Regional Final
In a display of dominance on both sides of the ball, the Guyer Wildcats cruised to a commanding 44-7 victory over the Crowley Eagles in the 6A Division II Region I semifinal on Saturday. The win, secured at Mustang-Panther Stadium, propels Guyer (10-3) to their fifth regional final appearance in six years, where they’ll face undefeated Southlake Carroll (13-0) next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Denton’s DATCU Stadium.
Fast Start Sets the Tone
The Wildcats wasted no time establishing control. Running back Sterling Schneider opened the scoring with a 1-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter, putting Guyer ahead 6-0 after a missed extra point. Moments later, defensive back Jaylon Sterling capitalized on a Crowley miscue, recovering a fumble in the end zone to extend the lead to 13-0.
Schneider struck again late in the first quarter with another 1-yard plunge, capping a dominant opening period and giving Guyer a 20-0 lead. The Wildcats carried their momentum into the second quarter, where kicker Ford Stinson drilled a 28-yard field goal to make it 23-0. Quarterback Kevin Sperry, a Florida State commit, then added a 4-yard rushing touchdown before halftime, pushing the advantage to 30-0.
Crowley’s Struggles Continue
Crowley, finishing their season at 8-5, struggled to find their footing against a relentless Guyer defense. The Eagles managed to reach the Wildcats’ 10-yard line late in the first half, but linebacker Caleb Fowler intercepted a pass to extinguish the threat.
Crowley finally broke through in the third quarter with a lone touchdown, but their celebrations were short-lived.
Guyer Seals the Deal
Sperry responded by connecting with tight end Jackson Shockley, a Tulsa commit, on a 12-yard touchdown pass, extending Guyer’s lead to 37-7. Shortly after, DJ Reese delivered the exclamation point with a dazzling 47-yard punt return for a touchdown, sealing the 44-7 victory.
Sperry was the centerpiece of Guyer’s offensive success, showcasing his dual-threat ability with 195 rushing yards on 20 carries and a touchdown. Schneider contributed two rushing scores, while the defense, anchored by Fowler and Sterling, kept the Eagles in check throughout the contest.
Looking Ahead
Guyer’s decisive win sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown against Southlake Carroll, the No. 4-ranked team in the state. With a spot in the state semifinals on the line, the Wildcats will need to carry their balanced attack and defensive intensity into what promises to be a thrilling matchup.
For Crowley, their 2024 season concludes with an 8-5 record, but the experience gained this year provides a foundation for future success.
