ALLEN — North Crowley has officially shaken up the Texas high school football scene, taking down Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Keelon Russell and his Duncanville Panthers with a stunning 36-34 victory in the UIL Class 6A Division I state semifinal held at the packed Eagle Stadium on December 14, 2024. This marks North Crowley’s first trip to the state championship game since 2003, and it couldn’t have come at a more thrilling pace.
The stage was set as two of the nation's top-ranked high school teams faced off. The sold-out crowd, brimming with excitement, witnessed North Crowley jump out to a commanding 15-0 lead within the first quarter. Quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. wasted no time, tossing a 32-yard touchdown pass to senior teammate Quentin Gibson, followed by another touchdown reception to running back Cornelius Warren just moments later. The Panthers capped off their momentum with a field goal, leaving Duncanville on the back foot.
Duncanville, aiming for their third consecutive state championship after cruising the past months through their opponents, began to claw their way back. The five-star Alabama signee, quarterback Russell, led the charge, eventually putting his team up 21-15 midway through the third quarter with his dynamic playmaking ability. Yet, North Crowley wasn’t deterred. They responded swiftly, reclaiming the lead, then leveraging their aggressive game plan with impressive fourth-down conversions to keep the sinking Duncanville defense at bay.
With the score tied at 29-27 and time slipping away, North Crowley showcased their resilience. On the pivotal fourth-and-goal from just one yard out, Warren pushed through to cross the end zone, lifting the score to 36-27. The pandemonium erupted on North Crowley’s side of the stadium, as students and fans alike celebrated the audacity and the stakes of their performance.
The battle wasn’t over yet, as Duncanville quickly retaliated with their own scoring drive, capped off by Russell’s pass to Ayson Theus, making it 36-34 with three minutes remaining. With all the momentum swinging back to Duncanville, only time would tell if North Crowley could hold their ground.
What followed was classic playoff drama as North Crowley, now tasked with maintaining their lead, began to run down the clock. Warren, who finished with 178 rushing yards, became the workhorse, carrying the ball on all six plays of the final drive and ensuring the Panthers would seal the victory without allowing Duncanville another chance.
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates praised his team after the game. “This is huge. After losing to them 370 days ago, it was a long time to get back to this point,” he reflected. Coach Gates had emphasized from the beginning of the season the importance of aggressiveness and execution of plays. His strategy paid off, marking the team's fierce mentality throughout the game.
Warren’s performance was not only statistically impressive but he also demonstrated leadership, calling for the ball during the game’s closing moments. “He is a leader on this team, and when it was time to close the game, he told the coach, ‘Give it to me. I’ve got us.’ And he did,” praised Gates. Indeed, Warren’s grit was pivotal, echoing the urgency North Crowley needed to secure their win.
But it was not just the offense contributing to this momentous victory; the North Crowley defense intercepted Russell late in the third quarter and forced two fumbles, tipping the balance of the game. Junior safety Aaron Bradshaw played exemplary defense, and Gates noted how “locked-in” Bradshaw was throughout the game, impacting Duncanville's ability to convert key plays.
With this victory, North Crowley now stands at 15-0, boasting the best record they’ve had in years. For the community, this is not just about reaching the state championship; it symbolizes the pride and spirit of Fort Worth high school football, with North Crowley being the first from the city to compete for the top title since 1948.
Now, they look forward to the championship matchup against Austin Westlake, who recently triumphed over Galena Park North Shore. The upcoming game on December 21 will be the ultimate test for the Panthers as they aim for their first state title since 2003.
Meanwhile, Duncanville, with their powerful football legacy, faces the reality of missing out on the state title game for the first time since 2020. Their dynasty, marked by championship appearances, came crashing down on this eventful Saturday, but the future remains bright for their talented roster.
For North Crowley, the road to glory has been paved by determination, talent, and perhaps most significantly, the willingness to challenge the status quo, as they prepare to write their new chapter in Texas football history.