Fort Worth or Crowley? At state championship game, North Crowley will represent both
North Crowley will face Austin Westlake in the Class 6A Divison One State Championship at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 21.
The Panthers, part of the Crowley school district, are playing for both the district’s namesake city and Cowtown in the championship. The school, at 9100 S. Hulen St., is in Fort Worth, and its district is one of 16 that serve the sprawling city.
Fans across social media have debated which community North Crowley represents. It is a discussion that dates to 2003, when the Panthers won their first state title. Administrators were not sure where or how to host a championship parade.
“Our community is a little different,” former head coach Mike Papas said at the time. “We’re a school without a town.”
North Crowley has carried Fort Worth to the state title game in Texas’ largest classification for the first time since 1948, when Arlington Heights defeated Houston Lamar. Fort Worth Kirkpatrick won a PVIL title in 1963.
“We’ve been working on this moment forever,” senior quarterback Chris Jimerson said. “But most importantly, we do it for the city. Because the city has been rocking with us forever.”
Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker sent the Panthers a video, congratulating them on their success and wishing them luck.
North Crowley has 817, one of Fort Worth’s two area codes, plastered on its helmets. The Panthers also have helmets displaying the Fort Worth skyline.
Throughout the season, the team has emphasized it is playing “for the city.”
“We’ve got the whole city riding with us,” North Crowley linebacker and Texas signee Jonathan Cunningham said. “We’ve got to put on for the city.”
The North Crowley faithful showed out to support the Panthers in the state semifinal at a sold-out, 18,000-seat Allen Eagle Stadium. They defeated reigning 6A Division One champion Duncanville to climb to No. 3 in the nation.
North Crowley coach Ray Gates said he expects an even bigger crowd on Saturday.
“It’s going to be an electric atmosphere,” Gates said. “Words can’t really describe it.”
With North Crowley’s success, Jimerson has turned into a local celebrity and a role model for the Fort Worth youth. The star quarterback and UNT commit went to a Fort Worth Longhorns youth football practice, and the young fans showered him with attention.
“I walked in there and everyone was saying, ‘Hey Chris! Hey Chris! Hey Chris!’” Jimeron said. “It gives me motivation to keep going.”
North Crowley, with good reason, shows love to Fort Worth. At the same time, the team represents its school district in the same way.
After nearly every big accomplishment, Gates takes time to credit Crowley Superintendent Michael D. McFarland. He said the full support of the administration has allowed the team to thrive.
When Gates was hired at North Crowley in 2022, the Crowley administration was one of the main reasons why he sought the job.
“Just knowing the superintendent and his vision for the program and the school district,” Gates said. “Those were probably the biggest things for me.”
Crowley and North Crowley may be rivals on the football field, but when the game ends, the two teams have been vocally supportive of each other. Crowley head coach Carlos Lynn shared a message supporting the Panthers.
“Knowing that we have the community behind us, that just gives us more motivation heading into the game,” senior defensive end Xaiver Coleman said.
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