Fall Preview: North Crowley Looks to Make A State Title Run

When you look at teams in Texas that have the tools and talent to make a run to a state championship in 2026, the North Crowley Panthers are a team that comes to mind. Taking over as the head coach is former defensive coordinator Demarcus Harris, who has been a steady force on the defensive side for the Panthers for the last four seasons. Harris leads one of the more talent laden teams in the state of Texas and the Panthers look to get back to Arlington in 2026 after falling short in 2025 to the Allen Eagles late in the playoffs. We spotlight playmakers in the trenches as well as top flight skill position players who will be key contributors for the Panthers as the 2026 season approaches.    Ingram is a powerful runner who has the wiggle in space to make defenders miss, he plays with excellent pad level and he finishes runs with authority. Ingram has the speed and elusiveness to turn short runs into game changing plays in an instant. He has strong, reliable hands and his ability to runs clean routes out of the backfield enables him to become a threat in the passing game. As a junior he rushed for over 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns to help lead the Panthers on a deep playoff run. Ingram will be counted on to carry the load again in a loaded North Crowley backfield in 2026.     Smith has great quickness, he runs between the tackles with power and he can turn a short run into a house call for six. When he gets in the open field, Smith is elusive, he is tough to tackle in space and his is a mismatch in the passing game for linebackers. The North Texas commit rushed for over 1,000 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, giving the Panthers a potent 1-2 punch in the backfield. Smith returns in 2026 and he will continue to apply pressure on opposing defenses.     Outhouse Jr. is a sticky defender with an extended reach, he uses his length to get his hands on receivers in press coverage and his clean footwork enables him to be in position to make plays on the football. He transitions into his backpedal smoothly and he has the speed to stay in phase with wide outs down field. The UCLA commit, had a productive junior season, tallying 45 tackles and 2 interceptions. Outhouse Jr. returns to a loaded secondary looking to get the Panthers back to a state title in 2026.     Torres has the arm talent to spray the route tree with pinpoint accuracy. He has excellent pocket presence, he has the athleticism to evade the rush and make plays outside the pocket in the passing game. Torres has clean and deliberate footwork, he engages his hips to get extra torque on his throws and his quick trigger release enables him to thread the needle in tight coverage. The Panthers advanced deep in the playoffs before falling to Allen in 2025. With Torres under center North Crowley will be pushing to get back the Arlington to play for another state title.     Cooper is a complete player with delivers crushing blocks in the running game and he has the skill set to be a receiving threat no matter where he lines up. He is physical at the point of attack, he delivers a stiff punch at engagement and he finishes his opponents with violence. Cooper has the flexibility to line up inline or split out wide and make big plays in the passing game. He has strong reliable hands that makes him a valuable target in the passing game. Cooper has the skill set that next level that college coaches covet at the next level. He will be one of many weapons on the North Crowley offense in 2026.     Irvin plays with excellent leverage, he delivers at powerful punch at engagement and he is a road grader in the running game who plays with physicality. He has superb quickness in space and the lateral agility to make blocks in space at the second level. Irvin was a starter in the trenches for the Panthers as a freshman and he returns to give North Crowley a veteran presence up front.     Mays is a big play waiting to happen no matter where he lines up and the opposing defenses know this and still haven't been able to stop him. He has the speed to stretch the field vertically and he has strong reliable hands that allow him to attack the football at the catch point with aggression. One thing that separates Mays from his peers is his ability to win his matchups in tight coverage. Mays is a big body target who has the body control to elevate and come down with the 50/50 balls consistently. After a monster sophomore season, catching 49 passes for 790 yards and 11 touchdowns, he returns a valuable weapon on a loaded offense. Mays will be a key cog for North Crowley offensively, as the Panthers look to continue their winning ways in 2026.     Houston is one of the top safeties in the state and one of the top playmakers for the Panthers. He has the speed and the range on the backend to cover ground in a hurry. Houston is a sure tackler who plays under control and he plays behind his pads. He is a ferocious hitter who plays sideline to sideline and he has the skill set to cover wideouts in space and shut down the passing lanes. The Arizona State is a complete player who will have an imprint on the Panthers run for a state title in 2026.     Green is a big target who has a large catch radius combined with sure hands who can line up out wide or inline and be a difference maker. He attacks the ball with aggression at the catch point and he has the body control to win on contested grabs in close coverage. Green is a ferocious blocker, who locks in on defenders early at engagement and he finishes blocks through the whistle with violence. Heading into his junior season Green is already on college radars, with offers from Louisiana Tech, Texas State, Colorado, SMU, Virginia and Ole Miss to name few. Green will be a key contributor for the Panthers who look to make another run at a state title on 2026.     Lacy is a hybrid defender who will line up as an in the box safety or linebacker and attack offenses from multiple angles. He is a sure tackler who plays fast but under control, he takes proper angles to the ball carrier and he uses timely blitzing to disrupt quarterbacks in the passing game. Lacy has the skill set to not only make big hits on ball carriers in space but he has the ability to cover running backs or wideouts in pass coverage. He is versatile defender who makes game changing plays for the Panthers defense.     Cunningham had a monster freshman season where he established himself as a starter in the Panthers secondary. He is a sticky defender with who has fluid hips, he transitions into his backpedal smoothly and his ability to turn, flip and stay in phase with receivers allows him to shut down passing lanes. Cunningham gets physical at the line of scrimmage, using violent hands and his extended reach to redirect receivers in press coverage. He is stout in run support, taking proper angles to ball carriers in the open field and he plays behind his pads. He is an asset on special teams. Cunningham is fearless, he is shifty in space with ability to make defenders miss in the open field and he showed up big in crucial moments last season for North Crowley. He is one of the top defenders in the 2029 class and he returns to continue to harass offenses in 2026.     Smith is explosive off of the line of scrimmage, has the quickness to create separation at engagement and he has the speed to stretch the field. He excels at yards after the catch, showing the wiggle to make defenders miss in the open field and has the speed to make a house call for six. Smith is a threat from multiple positions, lining up in the backfield and in the slot where he is a mismatch for defenders. Expect Smith to be one of the many weapons for the Panthers this season as they make a march back to the playoffs in 2026.     Demerson explodes off the line of scrimmage at the snap, he has the quickness that enables him to create separation early in his routes and his superb route running allows him to win his matchups consistently. His speed and explosiveness helps him to get on defenders immediately if they play off coverage and if defenses press him and miss, he could easily be open for a big play. Demerson proved this spring on the 7v7 circuits this offseason that he can be a threat offensively with the ball in his hands.     Wilkins has a powerful punch at engagement, he plays with excellent pad level and he uses his lower half to gain leverage on his opponents. He is quick off the ball, showing the balance and lateral fluidity to get defenders off their axis in the running game. Wilkins's hand placement combined with his ability to stab and get into his kick slide quickly allows him to win his matchups in pass protection. He helped lead the way for two 1,000 yard rushers for the Panthers in 2025 and Wilkins will be a driving force in the trenches as North Crowley looks to make a return to the state title game in 2026.     Tate has nimble feet combined with the athleticism to pull, get down the line laterally and cut up in the hole to deliver powerful blocks in the trenches. He plays with excellent pad level and his ability to gain leverage on defenders at engagement enables him to finish opponents to the ground consistently. Tate is a technician in close quarters and he has the quickness and deep hip bend that allows him to get into his kick slide quickly in pass protection. The Howard University commit returns as one of the leaders in the trenches for the Panthers. Look for Tate to continue to open holes for a talented North Crowley backfield this fall.

When you look at teams in Texas that have the tools and talent to make a run to a state championship in 2026, the North Crowley Panthers are a team that comes to mind. Taking over as the head coach is former defensive coordinator Demarcus Harris, who has been a steady force on the defensive side for the Panthers for the last four seasons. Harris leads one of the more talent laden teams in the state of Texas and the Panthers look to get back to Arlington in 2026 after falling short in 2025 to the Allen Eagles late in the playoffs. We spotlight playmakers in the trenches as well as top flight skill position players who will be key contributors for the Panthers as the 2026 season approaches.