North Crowley Panthers
Head Coach: DeMarcus Harris (1st season)
Last Season: 12-2; 6-0 in district (Lost to Allen in regional finals)
North Crowley Key Players and Storylines
North Crowley may have a new head coach after Ray Gates accepted a job on the North Texas staff, but don’t expect a drop off. DeMarcus Harris takes over in his place. Harris had served as North Crowley’s defensive coordinator the past two seasons and was part of the 2024 state championship coaching staff.
Now, the Panthers didn’t get a favorable draw from realignment. The UIL lumped them in with Duncanville, Waxahachie, and an upstart Lake Ridge program among others in the District of Doom in District 11-6A, but that won’t diminish expectations at all.
They’ll have a new signal caller, but his debut has been a year in the making. Senior quarterback Jacob Torres is set to get the keys to the offense after being ruled ineligible last year following his transfer from Burleson Centennial.
He won’t lack for skill talent. Speedy North Texas commit G’yrell Smith (1,115 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns) will lead the rushing attack alongside Kiante Ingram. Out at receiver, he has great size to aim for in 6’2″ tight end Jeramie Cooper, 6’3″ receiver Damarion Mays, and fellow 6’3″ junior receiver Hayden Green. Kade Smith will operate out of the slot after playing some quarterback in 2025.
2028 North Crowley WR Damarion Mays with the catch of the day 👀@Champfa6ix | @NorthCro_FB | @GigEm247 pic.twitter.com/jyXboecN7b
— Cade Draughon (@Cade_Draughon) June 2, 2026
Up front, the Panthers graduated three of their four first team all-district linemen, leaving just guard Tyree Fleming to lead the offensive line.
Defensively, North Crowley is stacked in the secondary even with five-star cornerback John Meredith being ruled ineligible. Senior Jerry Outhouse Jr. can still be the Panthers’ star cornerback and sophomore Braylen Cunningham is just as talented. On the back end, Arizona State commit safety Elijajuan Houston (72 tackles and four INTs) is fresh off winning District MVP.
In the front seven, linebackers Brock Lacy (40 tackles and 11 TFLs) and Avery Dotson (54 tackles, 10 TFLs) as well as 6’1″, 295-pound defensive tackle Derrick Gleason and defensive end Antonio Smith are all returning first team all-district players.
This North Crowley team has what it takes to take the District of Doom head on. Expect them to be a state contender again this year with loads of talent on both sides of the ball.
2026 Schedule
*Denotes District 11-6A Contest
8/28 vs. Aledo 7:00 p.m.
9/4 vs. Southlake Carroll 7:00 p.m.
9/11 vs. Summer Creek 7:00 p.m.
*9/18 @ Duncanville 7:00 p.m.
*9/25 vs. Crowley 7:00 p.m.
*10/9 @ Waxahachie 7:00 p.m.
*10/16 vs. Lake Ridge 7:00 p.m.
*10/23 @ Dallas Skyline 7:30 p.m.
*10/30 @ Mansfield 7:00 p.m.
*11/5 vs. Red Oak 7:00 p.m.
