‘For the city’: North Crowley throttles Westlake, claims Class 6A DI state championship
Ahead of the Class 6A Division I state championship, North Crowley head coach Ray Gates walked by the end zone at AT&T Stadium to savor the moment.
All the pressure was on the undefeated North Crowley Panthers to deliver, and they did. For the first time in 75 years, the UIL’s largest classification high school football state championship is heading to Fort Worth.
North Crowley throttled Austin Westlake 50-21 in front of 36,120 in attendance on Saturday, Dec. 21 to complete a perfect season and win the Class 6A Division I state championship “for the city.” It’s the Panthers’ second state title; the first came in 2003, the last time Fort Worth was represented in a title game of any class.
“We’re excited that we’re able to win this championship and bring it back to the city,” Gates said. “The city has followed us from the beginning, and they’ve been an inspiration to us.”
While sporting 817 on its helmets, North Crowley proved it’s the undisputed kingpin of Texas football. Gates said the team has left a legacy that will never be forgotten.
“We wanted to make sure that we had a product that people in our community would be proud of – the way our guys play with the discipline that we have each week on the field,” Gates said. “It speaks volumes to our coaching staff and their willingness to get the job done in the right fashion.”
To advance to the state championship, North Crowley dethroned reigning state champion Duncanville and earned a No. 3 Max Preps national ranking.
“I couldn’t have scripted this any better,” Gates said. “So much has to come together to do what we were able to do in such a short amount of time.”
As time expired, four-year varsity quarterback Chris Jimerson Jr. sprinted to midfield, flipping and jumping for joy to end his illustrious career.
“My mama. She asked me to do a flip,” Jimerson said. “This is my last game, and I went out there and did it. I was just so excited.”
To start the game, North Crowley (16-0) set the tone with a 75-yard flea flicker touchdown from Jimerson to wide receiver Quentin Gibson on its first offensive play. Westlake (14-2) retaliated with a quick touchdown drive, but from that point, the Panthers scored 28 unanswered points and cruised to victory.
Jimerson, a UNT commit, passed for 299 yards and four touchdowns on 14 of 23 passing. He also rushed for 63 yards and a score.
Gibson, a Colorado commit, stole the show with multiple highlight plays. He had 181 receiving yards and three scores on seven receptions, averaging 25.9 yards per catch, to earn Offensive MVP honors.
Gibson’s three touchdown catches tie him for the most all-time in a Class 6A championship game with four others. North Crowley’s 640 yards of total offense is the second most in a Class 6A title game; only Allen’s 670 against Pearland in 2013 exceeded it.
“We have some phenomenal football players,” Gates said. “But most importantly, they’re better human beings, and they’re great teammates. And they’re great leaders and people in our school. Our community looks up to them.”
Senior running backs Cornelius Warren III and Daniel Bray posted strong performances. Warren had 241 total yards, 217 rushing, and one touchdown. Bray had 93 total yards and two scores.
“This group is always going to be special to me,” Gates said. “I wish I could replicate them. Figure out some type of way to create some more of these guys and bring them back for one more year. But we’ll be alright.”
Sophomore defensive lineman Derrick Gleason garnered the Defensive MVP award. Gleason had five tackles, four solo, with a sack, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit and a forced fumble that Draden Fullbright recovered.
“You can’t force the opportunities and the moments,” Gates said of Gleason. “You just have to be ready for them. And we have a lot of guys who are ready whenever their number is called. ... (The MVP performance) speaks volumes, and I’m super excited for him.”
Westlake was striving for its fifth state championship in its 12th appearance.
This story was originally published December 21, 2024 at 10:27 PM.
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