North Crowley running back G’yrell Smith (3) runs the ball to score a touchdown during the first half of the game against North Crowley on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth.
Abigail Dollins
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
FORT WORTH
In one of the most anticipated regular season bouts of the Texas high school football season, eight time state champion Southlake Carroll aimed to knock off North Crowley.
But the Panthers proved to be on another level, claiming a dominant 40-10 victory over the Dragons Friday at Crowley ISD Stadium. Trailing by 20 points in the third quarter, the Carroll Dragons (1-1) were doomed by the Panthers’ stout defense that claimed five takeaways.
North Crowley celebrates defeating Southlake Carroll, 40-10, on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Unforced errors also played a role. A miscommunication on a handoff and Carroll quarterback Hudson Tomcheck wanting more yardage on what would’ve been a first down caused two fumbles — both were recovered by North Crowley (2-0).
“Obviously, we can’t turn the ball over like we did,” Carroll head coach Lee Munn said. “We had way too many mistakes. We played very undisciplined and very uncharacteristic football, and there were a lot of opportunities for us to stay in the game and play the kind of the style of game we wanted, and it got away from us with the turnovers.”
North Crowley defense piles on Southlake Carroll during the first half of the game on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
To further solidify an elite defensive showing, sophomore cornerback Braylen Cunningham hauled in two second half interceptions. Cunningham, who North Crowley head coach DeMarcus Harris credited for having stellar football IQ and being a film junkie, has three interceptions through two weeks.
“He has superpowers,” Harris said. “He knows routes before they happen.”
To fizzle what little hope Carroll had left, G’yrell Smith had two second half touchdowns. In the contest, he tallied 113 total yards and a team high four touchdowns, while his running mate Kiante Ingram tallied 90 yards.
North Crowley running back G’yrell Smith (3) pushes past Southlake Carroll defense during the first half of the game on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“[Smith] is a special guy,” Harris said. “[Kiante Ingram and Smith] play off each other well. Ingram is a bruiser. [Smith] can take ‘em to the house. He is a spark. … He is always working.”
Crowley ISD Stadium, for the second consecutive week, was jam-packed with fans — many lingered around standing room only areas to see the state powers clash. They saw a stunning performance from the Panthers, but despite the dominance, Harris’ immediate takeaway was that he wants more.
North Crowley celebrates scoring a touchdown against Southlake Carroll during the first half of the game on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“We’ve got a lot to work on,” Harris said. “Our operations are not where I want them to be. … We have a chance to go back to work because we’re not perfect. We’ll watch the tape. I’ll enjoy it tonight, and I’ll probably be mad on Sunday.”
North Crowley set the tone on its opening drive with a 63-yard strike from quarterback Jacob Torres to wide receiver Kade Smith.
North Crowley wide receiver Kade Smith (12) celebrates scoring a touchdown with his coach against Southlake Carroll during the first half of the game on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Tomcheck retaliated with a 32-yard connection to tight end Easton Nied to give the Dragons a brief 7-6 lead — that was their only score, besides a field goal with the game already out of reach.
The Panthers went on to take a strong 27-7 halftime lead powered by two touchdowns from Smith of 7 and 35 yards. Receiver Pryce Demerson also made a big play with 19-yard TD reception from junior QB Jahzeel McCradic, who subbed in for Torres.
Harris said McCradic gave the team a spark, but that Torres is “still our quarterback.” Both players threw for over 100 yards.
North Crowley quarterback Jacob Torres (15) calls out the play during the first half of the game against Southlake Carroll on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Everybody can play on our team,” Harris said. “We have three quarterbacks that can play.”
The Panthers defensive line made big a huge first half impact, shutting down the Dragons’ run game. The unit had a massive, momentum stealing series by stopping Carroll at the goal line and also recovering a fumble, the first of five takeaways.
“I brought them in the huddle and said, ‘These are the [plays] that you’ll remember,’” Harris said. “That fourth down stop, it really brings you together. Because you know you can do it again.”
North Crowley Head Coach DeMarcus Harris during the game against Southlake Carroll on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Carroll also stepped on its foot a bit, botching a punt that set up Smith’s first score.
“They are such a momentum team,” Munn said. “ … Part of the reason we turned the ball over was they just took it away, right? Defensively, they are very aggressive and very physical. The punt that went over our punter’s head was on us. But with some, it was them just actively pursuing the football and punching it out. Props to them.”
Southlake Carroll could have another opportunity to face North Crowley in the playoffs. It’s a possibility, given their districts and enrollments, that both teams could enter the Class 6A Division II playoff bracket.
North Crowley plays Southlake Carroll on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
The Dragons have a young team with room to grow, but will need to make some serious improvements in order to have a chance against the Panthers, who seem to be on a level of their own in the Fort Worth-area.
A lot has changed since Southlake Carroll and North Crowley’s last matchup in 2021, when the Dragons claimed a 42-20 win.
Ray Gates was hired as North Crowley’s head coach ahead of the 2022 season and tallied a 54-4 record as the Panthers’ head coach in four seasons — in 2024, the Panthers won the Class 6A Division I state championship.
North Crowley Head Coach Ray Gates hoists the championship trophy after winning the UIL 6A Division I state championship game against Austin Westlake at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Now, both squads have newly promoted head coaches who used to be defensive coordinators. In Week 1, Carroll erased a 27-0 deficit to stun Oklahoma power Jenks at the Cotton Bowl in a thrilling win. The Dragons didn’t capture the same magic against North Crowley.
Ultimately, the Panthers, coming off a shutout against 12-time state champion Aledo, established themselves as the team to beat in the Fort Worth-area and handed Carroll its biggest loss since the 2018 season.
“We came out with enthusiasm,” North Crowley linebacker Avery Dotson said. “We came out ready to go and ready to win.”
Next up, Southlake Carroll will take on state power Allen, a squad that handed reigning Class 6A Division II state champion DeSoto a 50-6 loss. The Panthers are set to face Humble Summer Creek to close out their non-district slate.
North Crowley linebacker TJ Boyd (13) kneels in prayer before the game against Southlake Carroll on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Southlake Carroll tight end Easton Nied (14) scores a touchdown during the first half of the game against North Crowley on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Southlake Carroll quarterback Hudson Tomcheck (3) runs the ball during the first half of the game against North Crowley on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
North Crowley running back G’yrell Smith (3) celebrates a touchdown during the second half of the game against Southlake Carroll on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
North Crowley faces Southlake Carroll during the coin toss on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
Southlake Carroll quarterback Hudson Tomcheck (3) throws a pass during the second half of the game against North Crowley on Friday, Sept. 4, 2026 at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram
This story was originally published September 4, 2026 at 10:08 PM.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.