Midnight madness: North Crowley defeats DeSoto after lengthy lightning delay
By Charles Baggarly
North Crowley running back Kiante Ingram (23) brings the ball up field ahead of DeSoto linebacker Terrance McKnight (23) during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025.
Bob Booth
Special to the Star-Telegram
FORT WORTH
In a two-hour lightning delay that started in the third quarter, plenty of North Crowley football fans patiently waited for the Panthers’ game against DeSoto to restart.
Eventually, the game resumed at 11:25 p.m. and North Crowley (2-0) continued to secure a 36-27 victory over the Eagles on Friday at Crowley ISD Stadium. The contest concluded at 12:25 a.m. on Saturday.
North Crowley fans are still here at 11:30 p.m. after a 2 hour delay. And they are still bringing the energy. #txhsfbpic.twitter.com/MtTAtsJ8ai
North Crowley running back Kiante Ingram led the way with 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts.
North Crowley withstands delay, outlasts DeSoto
To start the game, DeSoto (0-2) struck first in a hurry. Quarterback SaRod Baker found receiver Antron Edmundson for a 56-yard gain. The Eagles switched in QB LeMarcus Summer, a common move throughout the game, and he rushed for a six-yard TD.
DeSoto wide receiver Antron Edmundson (9) hauls in a pass for the first offensive play of the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley responded with a 62-yard drive finished by a powerful four-yard rush from Ingram. Despite a blocked field goal and a fumble recovery, the Panthers couldn’t take the lead; DeSoto blocked a North Crowley field goal and capitalized with Summer’s second touchdown, a 15-yarder.
DeSoto quarterback LeMarcus Summers (15) scores for the Eagles during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
The Eagles extended the lead with a 20-yard TD catch from Edmundson with 1:25 left in the first half. With no time to spare, the Panthers made a change at QB. Senior Demarcus Harris took over and led a timely TD drive capped by a six-yard strike to Kade Smith. DeSoto took a 21-14 lead into the half.
North Crowley QB Demarcus Harris takes over and throws a dot to WR Kade Smith for the TD.
North Crowley took the opening kick of the second half, and Harris marched the Panthers 67 yards for a score. Jayden Shaw bulled in from two yards out and ran in the conversion to give North Crowley a 22-21 lead with 9:14 left in the third quarter.
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates talks with an official during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
At the 7:02 mark, the lightning delay began. When play resumed, Ingram picked up his second score to give North Crowley a 30-21 lead. DeSoto’s Baker retaliated with a strong 33-yard touchdown, but the PAT was no good.
With a 30-27 lead, Shaw extended the Panthers’ lead with a six-yard rushing TD in Wildcat formation with 1:54 remaining. To end the game, the Panther defense stood tall.
DeSoto quarterback LeMarcus Summers (15) completes a long pass down field during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis listens in during a time out during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis points out a something during a timeout in the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth
North Crowley quarterback Hayes Cloutier (13) unloads a pass down the sidelines during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley linebacker Amaj Mitchell (0) displays the ball he recovered after a DeSoto muffed snap during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
North Crowley head coach Ray Gates directs traffic on the field during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
DeSoto wide receiver Ethan Feaster (1) taunts North Crowley safety Zion Miller (14) and corner back Jerry Outhouse (4) after his catch during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
DeSoto running back SaRod Baker (5) gets away from the attempted tackle by North Crowley linebacker Avery Dotson (11) during the first half of a UIL football game between DeSoto and North Crowley at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Friday, Sept. 05, 2025. Bob Booth
This story was originally published September 6, 2025 at 12:55 AM.
