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North Crowley linebacker Jordan Herigon screams toward his bench in the UIL 6A Division I Regional playoff game at Midlothian ISD Stadium in Midloathian on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
Special to the Star-Telegram
MIDLOTHIAN
On Saturday at Midlothian ISD Stadium, the North Crowley Panthers reminded the Class 6A Division I bracket that they’re the defending champion.
No. 9 North Crowley (12-1) got out to a fast start and its run game dominated to defeat No. 25 Coppell (10-2) 46-21 in a UIL regional round contest. In the quarterfinals, the Panthers will face No. 2 Allen (13-0) at a time and place that is to be determined.
The Panthers have advanced past the regional round in three consecutive seasons and will aim for a third straight quarterfinal win over Allen. North Crowley beat the Eagles 30-8 in 2024 and 49-37 in 2023.
The Panthers jumped out to a hot start in the first quarter, holding Coppell to -12 yards of offense. North Crowley turned a bad situation into a great one after a fumble by receiver Pryce Demrerson — the defense forced a punt near the goal and Julius Washington blocked it for a safety to take a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers then went on a spree, taking a 23-0 lead with 15 and 11 yard scores from running back G’Yrell Smith and a 33 yard touchdown reception by Lorenso Cruz.
Coppell was able to retaliate with a 1 yard rushing TD from sophomore QB Carter Zingelmann.
It seemed the Panthers continued a string of key takeaways with a fumble recovery from Jurwone Irvin, but Cloutier threw an interception to Coppell’s Tyree Roberson, who returned 31 yards for a TD.
With 8 seconds left on the clock, North Crowley capped a drive that had excellent clock management with a 1 yard scoring scamper by RB Kiante Ingram. At the half, North Crowley led 30-14, allowed three Coppell first downs and outrushed the Cowboys 243 yards to -1.
The Panthers’ mistakes were more efficient for the Cowboys than their offense, as North Crowley had 12 penalties for 74 yards and the Coppell offense tallied 23 yards.
North Crowley was easily able to maintain its lead in the second half with the defense keeping Coppell out of the end zone until the 4:32 mark in the fourth quarter; the lead was already insurmountable.
The play of the second half for North Crowley followed a missed opportunity. Jayden Shaw was ruled short of a TD facing 4th down, and Coppell took over at the 1-yard line; the Panthers notched their second safety of the game and capitalized on the ensuing offensive possession with a 2-yard rushing TD from Smith, his third of the game.
This story was originally published November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM.
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Charles Baggarly
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