GAMES
RANKINGS
VYPE DFW Football Game of the Week Preview: North Crowley vs. DeSoto (Week 2)
Friday, September 5 – 7:00 PM // Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium -- Fort Worth, TX
Two of Texas high school football’s heavyweight programs collide this Friday night, as nationally ranked North Crowley welcomes perennial contender DeSoto for a marquee Week 2 matchup.
...
NORTH CROWLEY
North Crowley enters the game riding high after a historic 2024 campaign.
Since head coach Ray Gates took over in 2022, the Panthers have steadily risen to national prominence — culminating in last season’s dominant run to the UIL 6A Division I state title. Currently ranked No. 20 in the country and third in Texas by MaxPreps, the Panthers are showing no signs of slowing down.
Despite graduating a talented core — including Chris Jimerson (North Texas), Quentin Gibson (Colorado), Cornelius Warren III (Arizona), and Ja’Brelle Asberry (Incarnate Word) — North Crowley opened the 2025 season with a gritty 22-18 win over Lancaster.
The victory wasn’t as flashy as last year’s 50-21 dismantling of Westlake in the title game, but it was a strong early test passed by a reloaded roster.
Junior QB Hayes Cloutier, a promising three-star prospect, looks poised to lead the offense. He’s quickly developing chemistry with sophomore wideout Damarion Mays — a four-star recruit with offers from blue-blood programs like Ohio State, Georgia, and Texas.
In the trenches, senior offensive lineman John Turntine III (Texas-commit) anchors a unit that should give Cloutier -- as well as tailbacks G'yrell Smith (Jr. RB) and Cam Russell (Sr. RB) -- the time and space they need to operate.
On the defensive side, Gates' squad remains stacked.
Junior DB Elijajuan “Fat” Houston is coming off a breakout season that earned him District 3-6A Defensive Newcomer of the Year. He's joined the by 6-foot-4 three-star safety Aaron Bradshaw (Texas Tech), forming a scary duo in the NoCro secondary.
Up front, 6A-D1 State Defensive MVP Derrick “Big D” Gleason III headlines a punishing defensive line that also features senior standouts DeMorey Beasley and Jurwone Irvin.
Add in linebackers like Avery Dotson and Colorado State-bound cornerback Thomas Cook Jr., and it’s easy to see why the Panthers remain elite on both sides of the ball.
…
DESOTO
DeSoto, meanwhile, is looking to rebound after a tough opening loss to Creekside (GA).
Under the leadership of head coach Claude Mathis, the Eagles captured back-to-back 6A-Division II State titles in 2022 and 2023 before falling to Longview in last year’s Region 1 Final.
Despite the early stumble, DeSoto remains a dangerous threat — and Friday’s clash offers a prime opportunity to reassert themselves.
Senior wideout Ethan “Boobie” Feaster will be central to that effort. The USC-commit and returning unanimous all-district selection is a dynamic playmaker capable of changing a game in an instant.
Up front, DeSoto boasts one of the state’s most coveted defensive linemen in junior K’Adrian “Big Juicy” Redmond, who holds offers from Notre Dame, Texas, USC, and more. Junior edge rusher DJ Rumph adds to the pressure, with programs like Michigan, Georgia, and Pittsburgh already showing heavy interest.
…
Both teams have something to prove: North Crowley is looking to defend its crown against a familiar powerhouse, while DeSoto is aiming to bounce back and regain momentum. Expect intensity, physicality, and no shortage of big-time talent on display when these two collide.
THE HIERARCHY: VYPE DFW 2025 Week 2 Football Rankings; SOC ascends, Prosper skyrockets
The Dallas-Fort Worth football scene wasted no time delivering drama, dominance, and a few early shakeups in the latest VYPE Top-20.
North Crowley validated its high expectations with a gritty win over Lancaster, while Prosper made headlines by outlasting Central Texas powerhouse Westlake—an early résumé booster that propelled the Eagles into the top tier of the rankings.
Southlake Carroll, which looked every bit the title contender in a lopsided 49-0 win over Midland. The Dragons, fresh off a 6A-Division II State Runner-Up finish last season, appear equipped to make a similar run with a well-rounded roster and statement-making defense.
Allen also made noise with a commanding performance against Midland Legacy, offering further proof that last season’s growing pains may be behind them.
In the 5A and 4A ranks, South Oak Cliff turned heads by taking down state juggernaut North Shore in a 41-31 shootout. It was the kind of win that could set the tone for another deep playoff push for the two-time state champs.
Aledo, meanwhile, grinded out a hard-earned win over 6A contender Denton Guyer, reasserting its place among the area’s most consistent programs.
Not to be overlooked, Celina (4A) and Lovejoy (5A) also opened their seasons with quality wins, with the Bobcats lighting up Bellville for 50 points and Lovejoy edging Lubbock-Cooper in a tight one.
DeSoto stumbled out of the gate in a high-profile interstate matchup, falling to Georgia’s Creekside. Still, the Eagles will have little time to dwell on the loss, as they prepare for a pivotal clash with North Crowley that could significantly shift the 6A landscape.
With early contenders separating themselves and heavyweight matchups looming, Week 2 promises even more clarity—and chaos—as the season takes shape.
...
...
***Last section denotes most recent game result (acquired from MaxPreps as of 9/1/2025)
VYPE Dallas-Fort Worth Combined (6A-4A) Top-20 Football Rankings -- WEEK 2 (9/1 - 9/7)
1. North Crowley Panthers (6A) -- 1-0 // 22-18 W v. Lancaster
2. Southlake Carroll Dragons (6A) -- 1-0 // 49-0 W v. Midland
3. South Oak Cliff Bears (5A) -- 1-0 // 41-31 W v. North Shore*
4. Duncanville Panthers (6A) -- 0-0 // No Game**
5. Allen Eagles (6A) -- 1-0 // 46-13 W v. Midland Legacy
6. Prosper Eagles (6A) -- 1-0 // 29-22 W v. Westlake*
7. Aledo Bearcats (5A) -- 1-0 // 21-14 W v. Denton Guyer
8. Celina Bobcats (4A) -- 1-0 // 50-28 W v. Bellville
9. Denton Ryan Raiders (5A) -- 1-0 // 26-20 W v. V.R. Eaton
10. DeSoto Eagles (6A) -- 0-1 // 28-70 L v. Creekside (Georgia)
11. Denton Guyer Wildcats (6A) -- 0-1 // 14-21 L v. Aledo
12. Lone Star Rangers (5A) -- 1-0 // 44-21 W v. Argyle*
13. Waxahachie Indians (6A) -- 1-0 // 44-13 W v. Ennis
14. Lewisville Farmers (6A) -- 1-0 // 34-7 W v. Mansfield Summit
15. Byron Nelson Bobcats (6A) -- 1-0 // 30-7 W v. Frenship
16. Lovejoy Leopards (5A) -- 1-0 // 35-31 W v. Lubbock-Cooper
17. Trinity Trojans (6A) -- 1-0 // 33-7 W v. Strake Jesuit
18. Coppell Cowboys (6A) -- 1-0 // 28-20 W v. Sachse
19. Highland Park Scots (5A) -- 0-1 // 49-52 L v. Rockwall-Heath
20. Rockwall Yellowjackets (6A) -- 1-0 // 33-12 W v. Berkner
Others to Watch: Forney Jackrabbits (6A), Panther Creek Panthers (4A), Rockwall-Heath Hawks (6A), Lancaster Tigers (6A), Red Oak Hawks (5A), Argyle Eagles (5A), Wylie East Raiders (6A), Melissa Cardinals (5A)