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FORT WORTH – When North Crowley went to Rockwall last season, the Panthers took it to the Yellowjackets, 70-17 – scoring five touchdowns in the second quarter alone and leading 49-17 at the intermission.
In a rematch nearly one year to the day, it was Rockwall that avenged the loss and picked up one of the biggest upsets of the season. Brent Rickert connected with Ryan Wiley for the go-ahead touchdown with 22 seconds left and Rockwall took down #3 North Crowley 37-35 on Thursday night at Crowley ISD Stadium.
Rockwall (2-2) beat Berkner in the season opener before losing to Lake Travis and Lewisville by one possession. Meanwhile, the loss snapped North Crowley’s 19-game winning streak. It was also the first regular season loss for the Panthers since 2021.
North Crowley (3-1) defeated Austin Westlake 50-21 last December for the second state championship in program history.
“Just really proud of our kids,” said Trey Brooks, who was promoted from offensive coordinator in the spring of 2020. “They have been really resilient – we’ve played some tough games the last two weeks and they didn’t back down from the challenge tonight.
“It just shows our kids what their potential is…I’ve been telling them, but I don’t know if they truly know how good they can be and I just wanted them to see that. I just hope tonight showed them what we’re capable of – showing them we’re capable of pulling off a game like that.”
North Crowley RB G’yrell Smith scored five rushing touchdowns, but the Yellowjackets were able to stop most of the Panthers’ passing game.
Rockwall took the opening drive and got on the scoreboard with a field goal by Gordon Holland with 6:24 on the clock. Brent Rickert completed a third down pass to move the chains and one play later, Kaydon Castro rushed for big yards into the red zone. But North Crowley got to the ball carrier for loss of yards each of the next three snaps as Rockwall had to settle for three despite having first and goal at the 2.
North Crowley started its first drive at the Rockwall 48, but both teams would give the ball up on downs. After Rockwall’s failed attempt, the Panthers had prime field position once again, but this time they capitalized.
Kiante Ingram had a big run down the sideline and Smith scored his first from the 3 to give NC a 7-3 advantage with 14 seconds to play in the opening frame.
The Yellowjackets failed on fourth down tries on their next two drives. The Panthers had a fourth and 2 when Ingram rushed for a first to the Rockwall 25.
Smith scored two plays later to give NC a 14-3 lead with 2:20 left in the half.
Rockwall lucked out on its next drive – punting the ball but recovering a muff deep in North Crowley territory. Ricket hit Jack Duckworth, who got inside the 10 and then threw a touchdown to Ryan Wiley that pulled the Jackets within 14-10 at the break.
Smith, who wears #3, scored this third rushing touchdown midway through the third quarter that extended the North Crowley lead to 21-10.
But there was no quit for Rockwall.
Castro scored about two minutes later – however after a failed pass on the two-point try, the North Crowley lead was 21-16.
Smith scored from the 12 early in the fourth for TD #4 and the Panthers went up 28-16. Castro scored again to pull Rockwall within 28-23 with 8:21 left to play in the game. The Yellowjackets were able to get the ball back with six minutes left in the fourth.
The Jackets got a PI on North Crowley and then were able to move the chains again to the 50 with 4:15 left. Rockwall got to the NC 32 when Wiley made a great catch for a first and goal. Rickert took a keeper and scored and then added a two-point run to give his team a 31-28 lead with 3:08 left.
North Crowley quickly got downfield and had the ball at the Rockwall 35 with two minutes left when Smith took a hand-off and scored his fifth touchdown of the game. The Panthers led 35-31 with 1:51 remaining and Rockwall holding all three timeouts.
The Jackets’ game winning drive came at the 30 and Rickert completed a big gain on third and 7 to get Rockwall to the NC 37 with 59 seconds to go. Rockwall converted a fourth and short and then picked up another first down to the NC 20. Rickert then hit Wiley, who made a double move on his man for the game winning touchdown.
“We wanted him all the way through,” Brooks said. “That was a double move that we kind of were setting up throughout the game and I’m proud of him. For us, it didn’t matter who really was in there, but he was in there and made the play.”
North Crowley had a chance and got near midfield, but a final Hail Mary attempt was batted down by the Yellowjackets, who will start District 10-6A at Royse City in Week 5. North Crowley looks to get back in the win column when it takes on Mansfield Legacy in Week 5 for its District 3-6 opener.
