National power DeSoto upset by North Crowley in Texas high school football shootout

No. 5 ranked team in Texas hands DeSoto, two-time defending UIL 6A Division II state champ, first loss since 2022

Jonathan Cunningham, North Crowley linebacker, lines up during the 2023 Texas high school football season. / Photo by Cody Thorn, SBLive

North Crowley had a response to every one of DeSoto's proverbial haymakers on Friday night. And then some.

Ultimately, and in many ways amazingly, the Panthers, the No. 5 ranked high school football team in Texas, had more firepower than a team that hasn't lost since 2022.

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North Crowley out-shot, out-dueled and outright defeated DeSoto to the tune of 57-51 on Friday night at DeSoto's Eagle Stadium, and down went the No. 4 ranked team in the country.

Cornelius Warren rushed for four touchdowns and Chris Jimerson Jr. and Quinten Gibson connected for three first half touchdowns to lead a potent Panther offense.

Virginia Tech commit Kelden Ryan rushed for three touchdowns and passed for two more, but threw an interception that helped North Crowley pull away.

That marked DeSoto's first loss in nearly two calendar years, since Oct. 23, 2022.

Across the country, DeSoto, the nation's No. 4 ranked team, facing the No. 5 ranked team in Texas was one of the top-billed games nationally this week — even on the same night as national No. 1 Mater Dei vs. No. 2 Bishop Gorman.

The matchup delivered and North Crowley stole the spotlight.

Daniel Bray broke loose for a 63-yard touchdown run and ensuing two-point conversion, putting North Crowley up 57-44 with 7:50 to play.

Then a few plays later, Gaylon McNeal picked off Ryan and North Crowley regained possession with around seven minutes left and a two-touchdown lead.

Up until Bray's long scoring run, the lead had changed 10 times.

>> Read more about the game here.

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Follow live Friday night:

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• Vote: What is the top Texas high school football play of Week 1?

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• Grayson Rigdon shines in 11-man debut

• Denton Guyer snaps Aledo's 30-game win streak: 'We kept fighting'

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-- Andy Buhler | andy@scorebooklive.com | @sblivetx