It was an electrifying Saturday night at AT&T Stadium, where history was made in the Class 6A Division I state championship game. Amidst a record-breaking performance, Colorado signee Quentin Gibson added a flair of Prime Time swagger to his remarkable game, breaking out the iconic Deion Sanders celebration shuffle. This was no ordinary touchdown celebration—it was a tribute to the Pro Football Hall of Famer and Gibson’s future college coach. Holding up two fingers to signify his touchdown count at that point, Gibson might as well have been signaling North Crowley’s triumph. The nation’s third-ranked team decisively ended a championship drought of over two decades for Fort Worth by routing Texas powerhouse Austin Westlake 50-21.
The scene was nothing short of cinematic, with a crowd of 36,120 in attendance witnessing a historic showdown. Gibson’s performance was the stuff of legends: seven catches for 181 yards and three touchdowns. His numbers not only shattered the Dallas-area record for most touchdown catches in a season but also showcased the breathtaking speed and offensive prowess that have defined North Crowley’s season.
North Crowley’s journey to the state championship is one for the books. The team’s victory marked its second state title—the first since 2003—and capped off an undefeated season, the first in school history. Along the way, they defeated seven schools with a combined 24 state championships. The playoffs were a gauntlet, with wins over legendary programs like Odessa Permian, Allen, Duncanville, and Westlake.
“We should be the public school national champs with the type of schedule that we have gone through,” said coach Ray Gates in his postgame press conference. Gates, who is now 42-2 in his three years at North Crowley, has transformed the program from an 0-10 record in 2013 to state champions. “I couldn’t have scripted this any better. So much has to come together to do what we were able to do in such a short amount of time,” Gates reflected.
The transformation of North Crowley is more than just about wins and losses. It’s about the growth and investment in the program. “We’re one of the fastest-growing cities in the Metroplex,” Gates explained. “They’re building onto our school, brand new facilities. I have five turf fields, we’re building an indoor track complex. We will be the only school in the country with an indoor track complex. When you put those types of resources together, and you have the type of growth we have, this is something that could be special.”
Gibson’s story is equally inspiring. Heading into his senior year, his only college offers were from Army, Illinois State, and Prairie View A&M. Now, he’s a Colorado commit and the offensive MVP of the championship game. With his 36th touchdown catch of the season—a 20-yarder late in the game—he cemented his place in history. It’s the fourth-most in Texas history and one more than Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s previous Dallas-area record. “It means a lot, knowing that he’s in the NFL. It’s amazing,” Gibson said. “My senior year has been a movie.”
North Crowley’s offense was unstoppable. The team amassed 640 total yards, the second-most in a state final in the UIL’s top classification. Gibson’s 2,009 receiving yards this season rank 10th in state history, just behind Cowboys’ Pro Bowl receiver CeeDee Lamb. Meanwhile, North Crowley’s season total of 864 points shattered the Dallas-area record and is the 16th most in Texas history.
Westlake, ranked No. 11 nationally by MaxPreps, entered the game with one of the state’s premier defenses, allowing just 12.3 points per game. Yet, North Crowley’s explosive offense tore through them, scoring four plays of over 40 yards in the first half alone. By halftime, North Crowley held a commanding 28-7 lead, having amassed 367 total yards and averaged an astonishing 10.8 yards per play.
The fireworks began right from the opening drive. A perfectly executed flea-flicker saw North Texas signee Chris Jimerson Jr. connect with Gibson for a 75-yard touchdown. Jimerson’s stellar performance included four touchdown passes, bringing his season total to 58, and a 44-yard touchdown run. He accounted for five scores in the game, while three-star running back Cornelius Warren III rushed for a season-high 217 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a statement. North Crowley’s dominant performance came just a week after a nail-biting 36-34 semifinal victory over nationally ranked Duncanville. The team’s resilience and firepower were on full display as they dismantled a Westlake squad that had previously stunned Galena Park North Shore in the semifinals.
Coach Gates plans to celebrate this monumental achievement with a well-deserved trip to Italy. “I’m leaving on Monday,” he shared, signaling a brief moment of rest after a historic season.
North Crowley’s state championship isn’t just a win for the team; it’s a victory for the Fort Worth community. “You have to start with giving the people something to support. The 817 is about the city of Fort Worth, not just Crowley and beyond,” Gates said. “We wanted to make sure that we had a product that people in our community will be proud of, and the way our guys played, with the discipline that we have each week on the field, it speaks volumes to our coaching staff.”
From an underdog story to a season for the ages, North Crowley’s rise is a testament to perseverance, talent, and the power of community. With an undefeated season, record-breaking performances, and a team full of future stars, the 2023 North Crowley Panthers have etched their names into the annals of Texas high school football history.
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