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.
miles meador photo
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.
North Crowley captains walk toward mid field for the coin toss before a UIL 6A Division I Regional playoff game at Midlothian ISD Stadium in Midlothian on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Miles Meador Special to the Star-Telegram
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.
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates holds a wrench while staring toward his team during pregame warmups before a UIL 6A Division I Regional playoff game at Midlothian ISD Stadium in Midlothian on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Miles Meador Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley players, including quarterback Hayes Cloutier (9), run out before a UIL 6A Division I Regional playoff game at Midlothian ISD Stadium in Midlothian on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025. Miles Meador Special to the Star-Telegram
This story was originally published November 29, 2025 at 4:02 PM.
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.
By some accounts, this year’s North Crowley football team isn’t as explosive on offense as last year’s state championship squad. Don’t tell that to Midland Legacy.
North Crowley scored touchdowns on nine of its 10 possessions, including three after halftime when the starters sat down, as the Panthers drubbed Legacy 63-17 in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
After the game, North Crowley head coach Ray Gates said that “if you’re practicing football on Thanksgiving, then there are no more turkeys left in the playoffs.” Coppell (10-1) is also one of those teams, and North Crowley (11-1) will meet the Cowboys in the regional semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday at Midlothian Multi-Purpose Stadium.
North Crowley quarterback Hayes Cloutier has had a lot to do with the success of the Panthers’ offense after moving in from California and winning the starting job as QB of one of the top Class 6A programs in the state.
North Crowley quarterback Hayes Cloutier makes a nice gain against Midland Legacy in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff on Saturday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Yuki Soda yukisoda.com/Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
“He’s grown a lot from the time he got here a couple of weeks before the season to now,” Gates said. “We force-fed him what we do, and there are a lot of expectations that go with that. As the weeks have gone by he has progressed, and he’s starting to play his best football.”
Gates said Cloutier understands what the expectations are and what he needs to do to be successful. Cloutier has a lot of guys around him that can make plays, maybe even more that last year when Quentin Gibson and Chris Jimerson were tearing up opposing defenses.
“He has a great supporting cast, and when you have that, it takes some of the pressure off,” Gates said. “You don’t have to be Superman and make every play.
“Just give it to your guys and trust who they are and who God has made them to be. He’s done a great job.”
“It’s an absolute blessing that I was able to come here and earn the starting job,” said Cloutier, who completed 12 of 15 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns, all in the first half. “I get to work with all these great players every day and such great coaches that put so much time and effort into getting us prepared every week.”
North Crowley wide receiver Asaiah Smith (18) picks up yardage after a catch against Midland Legacy in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff Saturday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Yuki Soda yukisoda.com/Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley had its way with Legacy in the first half when the starters were in the game, scoring on seven of its eight possessions. The only drive that didn’t result in points was an interception on a wide receiver pass when Cloutier lateraled to Pryce Demerson, whose toss was picked off by Legacy’s Ben Cano at the Panthers’ 41 yard line.
Two plays later, North Crowley got the ball right back when Jordan Herigon returned the favor with an interception at the Panther 19.
Cloutier got things rolling for the Panthers with scoring passes of 18 and 16 yards, both to Damarion Mays on North Crowley’s first two possessions. Following the interception, the Panthers got consecutive scoring runs of 2 yards by G’yrell Smith and TDs of 1 and 2 yards by Kiante Ingram, the latter making it 35-3 with 1:23 left in the first half.
Legacy (6-6) was sporting its “Lee” helmets during the game even though the return to the Midland Lee school name won’t be official until the start of the next school year. The Rebels drove from their 36 to the North Crowley 19 on their first possession, but had to settle for a 36-yard field goal by Steven Verastegui.
“Our defense, outside of that first drive, was lights out,” Gates said of his defenders, who allowed 140 yards of total offense before the intermission. “We made some adjustments, and they were stout against the run and we made them check the ball down to areas that we wanted whenever they threw. I’m very proud of our defense.”
North Crowley defensive back Thomas Cook (6) closes in to help teammates bring down Midland Legacy running back Hayes Hamm (26) for a short gain in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff Saturday at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Yuki Soda yukisoda.com/Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
Cloutier finished off the scoring in the first half, hitting Mays for the third time from 5 yards out with 18 seconds left to make it 42-3. The play was pretty much a jump ball in the back of the end zone that is pretty much there anytime North Crowley wants to dial it up.
“Any jump ball and he comes down with it,” Cloutier said of Mays, a 6-3 sophomore. “He works his butt off. We’ve really got six or eight guys outside that can all play, as you saw in the second half … we’ve got some dogs.”
North Crowley had eight receivers catch passes in the game. Hayden Green had a 9-yard touchdown reception from Demarcus Harris II in the third quarter.
Harris tossed another TD of 13 yards to Aiden Whitmore early in the fourth quarter, and Whitmore closed out the scoring with a 51-yards scoring strike from Chris Alexander with 5:11 left in the game.
Legacy was led by workhorse running back Hayes Hamm, who picked up 143 tough yards on the ground on 41 carries. Hamm came two carries short of tying the Rebels’ school record for rushing attempts in a game.
North Crowley defensive tackle DeMorey Beasley (8) and linebacker Brock Lacy (20) close in on Midland Legacy running back Hayes Hamm (26) in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff Saturday. Yuki Soda yukisoda.com/Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley defensive back Aaron Bradshaw (1) blasts a Midland Legacy receiver to the ground in a Class 6A Division I area-round playoff on November 22, 2025 at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene, Texas. Yuki Soda yukisoda.com/Courtesy to the Star-Telegram
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 7:47 PM.
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.
Bob Booth
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.”
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates looks on during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
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.
Lake Ridge quarterback DeShawn Edwards (5) scores in front of North Crowley safety Elijajuan Houston (7) during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
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 running back G’Yrell Smith (3) stiff arms his way out of the pile during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
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.
North Crowley’s Jayden Shaw lobs it over the defense to TE Jeramie Cooper for a 26 yard touchdown.
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.”
Lake Ridge wide receiver Jayden Evans (14) almost came down with the catch defended by North Crowley safety Elijajuan Houston (7) during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley running back Kiante Ingram (23) cuts to the outside during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley linebacker Brock Lacy (20) drops Lake Ridge quarterback DeShawn Edwards (5) in the backfield during the first half of a UIL football game between North Crowley and Lake Ridge at Vernon Newsom Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, Thursday, October 9, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley running back G’Yrell Smith (3) runs through the Eagle defense 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. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 9:56 PM.
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.
.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.")
