FORT WORTH, Texas, Aug. 28 — In a back and forth affair with six lead changes, the final result ended up looking like it often did in 2024.
Sixteen times, in fact.
The North Crowley [Fort Worth, TX] Panthers ran the table a year ago en route to a 16-0 finish as Texas' UIL Class 6A Division I champions. They took the first step in defending that title Thursday night by outlasting an upset-minded Lancaster [TX] Tigers' squad in a 22-18 season-opening win.
After a scoreless first quarter, Lancaster finally got on the board in the second quarter on Izayah Lee's short plunge from inside the 1-yard line. North Crowley answered and then converted a 2-point conversion to take an 8-7 lead, but Lancaster wasn't quite finished. The Tigers drove down the field to kick a field goal on the final play of the first half for a 10-8 lead.
The tit-for-tat continued in the second half with North Crowley taking a 15-10 lead on a beautiful Damarion Mays catch from Hays Cloutier. But again, Lancaster proved to be up to the task. Tigers' quarterback Joseph Hairston scored minutes later on a keeper, and following a 2-point conversion, North Crowley was officially put on upset alert, trailing 18-15 headed into the final stanza.
But you don't win 16 straight games in Texas' highest division without knowing a little bit about playing under pressure. The calm, cool Panthers added another fourth-quarter touchdown to regain the lead at 22-18, and then held on down the stretch for the win.
It may be even harder for North Crowley next week. They'll host the No. 15 DeSoto [TX] Eagles, and it won't get much easier for Lancaster either. They'll take on the Aledo [TX] Bearcats whose 12 UIL state championships are the most in Texas schoolboy history.
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STREAM: Watch No. 12 North Crowley [TX] vs. Lancaster [TX]
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Refresh for updates
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FINAL — NORTH CROWLEY 22, LANCASTER 18
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|| FOURTH QUARTER ||
North Crowley retakes the lead and this back-and-forth affair is now back in control of the Panthers.
3rd Qtr — NORTH CROWLEY 22, LANCASTER 18
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|| THIRD QUARTER ||
Joseph Hairston scores on a quarterback keeper late in the third quarter to put Lancaster back in front. They convert the 2-pointer, and as the third quarter comes to a close, the Tigers are in the lead.
3rd Qtr — LANCASTER 18, NORTH CROWLEY 15
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Damarion Mays catches a touchdown in the end zone from Cloutier to cap a 15-play, 72-yard drive.
3rd Qtr — NORTH CROWLEY 15, LANCASTER 10
|| SECOND QUARTER ||
Lancaster adds a field goal on the final play of the first half.
Halftime — LANCASTER 10, NORTH CROWLEY 8
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Hayes Cloutier spots Hayden Green wide open down the left sideline for a 49-yard pass play to pull even.
2nd Qtr — NORTH CROWLEY 8, LANCASTER 7
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Izayah Lee finally gets the scoring started for Lancaster on a half-yard plunge.
2nd Qtr — LANCASTER 7, NORTH CROWLEY 0
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We're underway in the second quarter.
|| FIRST QUARTER ||
We end the first quarter where we started still tied at zero.
End of 1st Quarter — LANCASTER 0, NORTH CROWLEY 0
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And, finally, an hour and 40 minutes after its schedule 7 p.m. CST local start time, North Crowley-Lancaster is under way.
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It appears we're getting close to kick off in North Crowley. We've been in a long weather delay of about 90 minutes.
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There's been a lot of lightning in the Fort Worth area, and we're still in a weather delay down in Texas.
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North Crowley vs. Lancaster is in a weather delay.
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TOP 25 AND THE GAME OF THE WEEK ...
While you're getting ready for tonight's big game, get yourself up to speed on the preseason edition of The Sporting News High School Football Top 25.
Then check out Last week's Top 25 Roundup to see how the rest of our Top 25 fared in National Week 2.
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OUR PRESEASON ALL-AMERICA TEAMS ...
Finally, don't miss out on The Sporting News Preseason All-American Teams that just debuted today!
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Offense 2025
The Sporting News High School Preseason All-American Defense 2025
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We'll check back in here in a while with a look at some more storylines and an update on the weather.
MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL HEADLINES ...
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Here are the top 20 quarterbacks to watch in South Texas for '25 season