Fort Worth city council honors North Crowley High School’s state championship run
The North Crowley High School football team got the Fort Worth equivalent of a championship trip to the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
The Fort Worth City Council recognized the Class 6A Division I State Champion Panthers less than a month after the team’s perfect season culminated in a 50-21 drubbing of Austin Westlake at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
This is the Panthers’ first state champion since 2003, and first time in 76 years that the state’s largest division championship has been won by a high school based in Fort Worth.
While North Crowley represents a Fort Worth suburb, the school is physically located within the city limits. The team paid homage to that broader representation by emblazoning the “817” area code on their helmets.
District 6 councilmember Jared Williams, a North Crowley alumni, said the team filled him with pride.
“They didn’t just win games. They made history. They didn’t just win a championship. They achieved excellence,” he said, noting the team outscored its opponents 864-263.
District 8 councilmember Chris Nettles, a member of the 2003 championship team, highlighted the leadership of Coach Ray Gates.
The team has a record of 42-2 since Gates took over in 2022.
Nettles commended Gates for shaping his players into leaders off the field as well.
“These boys are solid with a good head on their shoulders,” Nettles said. “We appreciate you coach.”
The city followed the teams trajectory, and it was really fun to watch them beat highly regarded Austin Westlake, said Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker.
She also took time to recognize the players’ family members who supported the team both in the stands, and helping them get to practice.
“As your mayor, I could not be more proud,” Parker said.
Coach Gates thanked the city for the recognition saying he was overwhelmed by outpouring of gratitude.
He cited Galatians 6:9 as the foundation of team’s approach to adversity.
“Do not become weary in doing good for you will harvest if you faint not,” Gates said in a call-and-response with his players.
The team could win 10 championships in a row, but none would be as special as the 2024 team, Gates said.
In addition to being the best team in Texas, North Crowley was ranked No. 3 in the country behind California private school Mater Dei and Georgia public school Milton, according to Max Preps.
The team will have a victory parade at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 18 at 1 p.m. at the Crowley ISD Multipurpose Stadium.
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