.JPG "North Crowley running back Kiante Ingram (23) heads to the end zone during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 09, 2025.")
North Crowley running back Kiante Ingram (23) heads to the end zone during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 09, 2025.
Special to the Star-Telegram
MANSFIELD
Trailing 10-0 in the first quarter to Mansfield Lake Ridge, North Crowley faced a deficit it isn’t accustomed to in District 3-6A play.
But just as quickly as the Panthers fell behind, they stormed back with a vengeance, scoring 62 Unanswered points en route to an 62-17 victory at Newsom Stadium on Thursday.
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates said he was disappointed in the slow start because he values starting games off strong.
“We found ourselves down,” Gates said. “But we never shake, and we never falter in those situations.”
After falling to Rockwall to close non-district play, which ended a 19-game win streak, North Crowley had to deal with a regular-season loss for the first time in Ray Gates’ tenure as head coach. Now, the Panthers are back on track as the only undefeated team in District 3-6A play.
“We’ve played worthy opponents, and we’ve been in a lot of nail biters,” Gates said. “ … You draw on that experience. You’ve been there before. You know you can do it, and you’ve got coaches that will make the necessary adjustments.”
Running back Kiante Ingram led the charge with 136 rushing yards and three touchdowns on nine attempts. Gates credited his versatility, saying the offense can thrive whether he gets 20 carries or five, considering his ability as a pass blocker.
“We love him and everything that he does,” Gates said.
Quarterback Hayes Cloutier commanded the offense, throwing for 133 yards and a TD while completing 5 of 9 passes. He also rushed for 42 yards and a TD.
“He is healthy now, and he’s still learning a lot,” Gates said. “We’re putting more on him, and I think he is responding the right way. He has a great attitude. He asks a lot of questions and he takes notes. He watches a lot of film. He is a football junkie, and he is getting comfortable around our guys.”
Lake Ridge seized a 10-0 lead with a 37-yard field goal and an 11-yard touchdown rush from quarterback Deshawn Edwards that was set up by a North Crowley turnover on downs deep in Panther territory.
To begin North Crowley’s scoring spree, Ingram found space for a 29-yard rushing score. RB G’yrell Smith followed it up with a 13-yard scoring scamper, and Ingram extended the lead to 21-10 with another TD — this time it was nine yards.
North Crowley’s offense got creative for its next score with Jayden Shaw lobbing it over the defense to Jeramie Cooper for a 26-yard score.
To end a 41-point first half, Ingram added his third TD, a 49-yard breakaway run, and WR Lorenzo Cruz caught a quick pass and flashed some speed on the way to an 85-yard touchdown.
The rout continued in the second half. Smith found paydirt again with a six-yard score, and Cloutier continued the scoring by keeping it himself and racing 20 yards for the TD. To finish the 62 point spree, Cam Russell added a touchdown before Lake Ridge added a inconsequential score.
Up next, North Crowley will hit the road to play Weatherford on Friday, Oct. 17 at Kangaroo Stadium. On that same day, Lake Ridge will look to bounce back against Crowley at Crowley ISD Stadium.
“We want to go 1-0 every day,” Cloutier said. “Practice — we want to attack it hard. We need to. We need to turn it up at practice a little bit more and then just show it out on Fridays. So, that’s the expectation.”
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM.
Charles Baggarly
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