North Crowley is VYPE's No. 2 team
In other words, this isn't just an early-season game.
It's a measuring stick.
Both programs enter the matchup with new head coaches.
Lee Munn takes over at Southlake Carroll after Riley Dodge left for SMU, while DeMarcus Harris takes over at North Crowley following Ray Gates' move to North Texas.
Now, the new leaders get one of the biggest tests imaginable.
And both teams looked ready for the challenge in Week 1.
North Crowley delivered one of the most impressive defensive performances in the state, shutting out Aledo 26-0.
Think about that for a second.
It was the first time Aledo had been shut out since 2003.
The Crowley defense held Aledo to -10 rushing yards on 40 carries, while the offense piled up 358 total yards.
Southlake Carroll had a very different kind of Week 1.
The Dragons looked dead in the water against Jenks, Oklahoma, falling behind 27-0 before storming all the way back to win 34-33.
That comeback says plenty about the Dragons' talent — and their ability to stay in a fight when things aren't going their way.
Junior quarterback Hunter Tomcheck immediately made his presence felt in Week 1.
Tomcheck completed 19 of 24 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns while adding two rushing touchdowns.
He's already holding offers from Baylor, Houston, TCU, SMU and UTSA.
And he's throwing to one of the most productive receivers in the state.
Senior Brody Knowles, an Illinois pledge, exploded for seven catches, 180 yards and two touchdowns against Jenks.
Junior Easton Nied added two catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Senior Blake Gunter, a Cal pledge, gives the Dragons another major weapon on the outside.
Then there's junior Dez Bryant Jr., a transfer from Colleyville Heritage, who caught five passes in his Southlake Carroll debut.
The Dragons also have serious talent up front.
Senior Tristan Dare is committed to Missouri, while senior Luke Wilson is committed to Oklahoma.
And junior offensive tackle Ty McCurry may have the biggest recruiting list of them all.
McCurry has 29 offers, including Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Ohio State, Georgia, LSU, Florida, Texas A&M, Texas and TCU.
The one problem?
The Dragons couldn't get much going on the ground in Week 1, rushing for just 32 yards on 27 carries.
Senior running back Brooks Biggers will look to change that after rushing for 336 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
North Crowley may have just as much — if not more — firepower.
Senior quarterback Jacob Torres returned to the field after being ruled ineligible last season following a UIL transfer ruling.
The Emporia State pledge completed 11 of 21 passes for 189 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1.
Senior running back Kiante Ingram carried 12 times for 71 yards and enters the season with offers from Arizona, Ole Miss, SMU, Tulsa and Texas State, among others.
And then there's the receiving corps.
Junior Damarion Mays caught seven passes for 98 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. The 2028 prospect is ranked No. 16 nationally at wide receiver by 247Sports and No. 12 among Texas receivers in a loaded class.
He's already collected 40 offers, including Purdue, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Alabama, Arizona and UCLA.
Junior Kade Smith also exploded against Aledo, catching four passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He currently holds 17 offers.
Senior tight end Jeramie Cooper is another national recruit to watch. The 2027 prospect is ranked No. 177 in Texas and has 25 offers, including Alabama, Houston, Arkansas, Baylor, Florida State, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, TCU, SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Wisconsin.
And don't forget junior Hayden Green, who has 15 offers, including Ole Miss, Kentucky, Kansas State, Duke, Colorado, TCU, Virginia Tech and SMU.
If North Crowley's Week 1 performance is any indication, this defense is going to be a problem.
The Panthers held Aledo to minus-10 rushing yards on 40 carries and forced the Bearcats to fight for every inch.
Sophomore Braylen Cunningham even returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown.
Senior defensive back Jerry Outhouse Jr. is a UCLA pledge and ranked No. 22 among Texas recruits in the 2027 class.
Senior Elijajuan Houston is committed to Arizona State and ranked No. 86 in Texas.
Junior Brock Lacy brings 16 offers to the secondary, including Louisville, Nebraska, Kentucky, North Texas, TCU, Cal, Colorado, Arizona and West Virginia.
For Southlake Carroll, it's about proving the comeback against Jenks wasn't simply an incredible Week 1 escape.
For North Crowley, it's about proving that the 26-0 demolition of Aledo was the beginning of something much bigger.
And for the two new head coaches, it's an opportunity to make an immediate statement.
Munn inherited one of the state's most recognizable programs and a roster overflowing with Division I talent.
Harris inherited a North Crowley team that already showed in Week 1 that it can dominate on both sides of the ball.
Now they meet.
Two undefeated teams.
Two new coaches.
A ridiculous amount of college talent.
And one of the early heavyweight fights of the Texas high school football season.
Southlake Carroll vs. North Crowley.
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