North Crowley kept their perfect season alive Thursday night with a dominant 65-21 win over the Crowley Eagles, marking their third consecutive undefeated district title. With this victory, the Panthers, now 10-0, secured their ninth consecutive road win dating back to last season, while Crowley dropped to 6-4, ending a five-game winning streak.
The game at Crowley ISD Stadium showcased North Crowley’s powerhouse offense, driven by running back Cornelius Warren, a UNLV commit. Warren was unstoppable on the opening drive, accounting for all 55 yards before scoring on an eight-yard touchdown run. Warren finished with 177 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to North Crowley’s impressive ground attack that remained resilient even without star running back Daniel Bray, who was sidelined but will return for their upcoming playoff game against Byron Nelson.
Crowley’s standout, quarterback Caleb Williams, put up a valiant effort in the loss. Williams rushed for 146 yards on just nine carries, including an explosive 65-yard run, and completed 10 of 15 passes for 104 yards. Williams’ 63-yard touchdown run early in the game gave Crowley hope for a competitive matchup, but the Panthers quickly responded and built a commanding lead.
North Crowley regained control after a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. to Quentin Gibson, followed by a defensive stop. A brief momentum shift came when Crowley linebacker Kameron Walker recovered a fumble for a touchdown, keeping the score close with four minutes left in the first quarter. However, North Crowley soon took charge for good, with running back Kiante Ingram adding a 23-yard touchdown run, followed by a spectacular 36-yard one-handed touchdown catch by Gibson.
The Panthers’ relentless attack continued with Ingram and Warren both finding the end zone multiple times, despite Crowley’s best efforts. Another fumble recovery by Ja’Brelle Asberry set up another Ingram touchdown, further extending North Crowley’s lead. The Panthers’ aggressive special teams play, including a successful onside kick, led to a 34-yard reception from Moore, putting the Panthers up 49-13 at halftime. In the second half, North Crowley rotated in backups but still added to their score with another touchdown and a safety, sealing their 65-21 win.
Despite the tough loss, Crowley’s ground game remained strong, finishing with 276 rushing yards, marking their seventh consecutive game with over 200 yards on the ground. Wide receiver Derrick Tasby added a touchdown in the third quarter for Crowley, but the team couldn’t close the gap.
The game concluded with a display of sportsmanship as both teams gathered for a post-game prayer. Though rivals on the field, many Panthers and Eagles players are neighborhood friends, and Panthers coach Gates once worked under Crowley’s head coach Carlos Lynn at Cedar Hill, underscoring the respect and camaraderie between the programs.
Looking ahead to the playoffs, North Crowley will host Byron Nelson in the Class 6A Division I bi-district round at Crowley ISD Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Crowley will move to Division II, where they’ll face Justin Northwest, aiming to build on the resilience they showed this season.
