ESPN to showcase scrimmage between Fort Worth-area football powers
ESPN’s “SportsCenter” is bringing a national spotlight to Texas high school football.
As part of the 50 States in 50 Days tour, “SportsCenter” anchors will attend a scrimmage between North Crowley and Euless Trinity at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth on Thursday. Varsity kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., and the junior varsity will start at 5 p.m.
With the tour, ESPN is highlighting a mix of iconic venues, “hometown hidden gems” and culturally significant events. The tour showcases a mix of live on-site shows and storytelling segments.
North Crowley, the 2024 Class 6A Division I state champion, will represent Texas under the national spotlight. ESPN anchor Hannah Storm will be in attendance and will broadcast live from 5 to 6 p.m. CDT.
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates, senior offensive lineman John Turntine III and Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will join the show.
“It is an honor,” Gates said. “We don’t take this lightly. There are a lot of worthy teams in the state of Texas. With this 50 States in 50 Days tour, they could have chosen anybody. And they called us and they wanted us to represent the state of Texas. That was an awesome phone call.”
Euless Trinity, ranked No. 14 in 6A by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, is a worthy opponent with tons of high-profile talent to showcase, including junior five-star defensive back John Meredith III. Trinity head coach Aaron Lineweaver said it’s a great opportunity for the athletes, the program and HEB ISD.
“They deserve [the national spotlight], and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get on ‘SportsCenter,’” Lineweaver said. “I don’t think they know how big it is. One day they’ll look back and know it was pretty special to play for Trinity.”
Gates said the event will benefit everyone involved, and he emphasized that it’s an excellent opportunity for Crowley ISD.
“It’s an awesome opportunity to showcase all that we’re doing,” Gates said. “Not just in football, but also the new groundbreaking indoor track facility that we’re building. All of the new construction that is happening on our campus and on Crowley’s campus. We are blazing a path on this side of the Metroplex — not only in athletics but academics as well.”
This story was originally published August 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM.
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