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THE FINAL 48: UIL Football State Championship Preview -- North Crowley vs. Westlake (6A-D1)
The stage is set for a showdown of epic proportions. AT&T Stadium will host the final game of the season, where the North Crowley Panthers and the Westlake Chaparrals will face off for the UIL 6A-D1 State Championship.
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North Crowley is coming off one of the most exhilarating games of the year, having edged out defending state champs Duncanville 36-34 in a highly-anticipated State Semifinal rematch.
That win pushed their perfect season to 15-0, earning them the No. 1 ranking in Texas, according to MaxPreps.
At the heart of their success is senior quarterback Chris Jimerson (North Dakota signee), who threw four touchdown passes in the win—bringing his season total to 54—and accumulated 256 total yards.
Running back Cornelius Warren III (UNLV) was equally dominant, shredding Duncanville’s typically stout defense with 223 yards from scrimmage and two scores.
On the receiving end of Jimerson’s passes, wideout Quentin Gibson (Colorado) continues to be a game-changer. With 86 catches for 1,828 yards and 18 touchdowns this season, Gibson is a constant threat.
If that isn’t enough, coach Ray Gates can easily incorporate the team’s various other weapons – such as Utah-signee Daniel Bray (898 all-purpose yards, 14 TDs), WR Kevin Moore (706 yards, 8 TDs), and sophomore RB Kiante Ingram (609 rushing yards, 13 TDs) – to light up the scoreboard.
The defense, led by standout linebacker Jonathan Cunningham (Texas-signeeip) and senior safety Gaylon McNeal (Washington State), had its hands full against Duncanville's explosive offense but managed to force two turnovers, helping the offense capitalize on key opportunities.
With an average of just 17.4 points allowed per game, the Panthers will need that same defensive resilience to contain Westlake’s high-powered offense.
Veterans Ja’Brelle Asberry (Sr. MLB) and Neuntae Cassey (Sr. DE) should also have key parts to play in the team’s effort to stifle the Chaps.
This marks North Crowley’s first appearance in a State Title game since 2003, when they won the Class 4A-D1 championship. A win on Saturday would give the Panthers their second overall and cement their place among Texas’ elite.
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On the other side, the Westlake Chaparrals come into this game red-hot, having won 12 straight games and improving their record to 14-1.
Their most recent victory—a 35-10 upset of North Shore in the State Semifinals—denied the Mustangs their sixth consecutive trip to the UIL Championship.
Westlake’s offense, led by junior quarterback Rees Wise, has been a juggernaut all season, averaging over 43 points per game. Wise has thrown for nearly 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns this year, while also adding 358 rushing yards and 13 more scores with his legs.
Senior running back Grady Bartlett has complemented Wise’s production with 1,029 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns.
The receiving corps has been dynamic, with Wise spreading the ball around to a trio of seniors: Baylor-signee Brody Wilhelm (39 receptions, 600 yards, 9 TDs), Cal Livengood (34 receptions, 525 yards, 5 TDs), and Chase Bowen (31 receptions, 546 yards, 3 TDs).
Defensively, Westlake is just as formidable.
Senior linebacker Elliott Schaper (Duke-signee) has been an absolute beast, with 124 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 3 interceptions.
The Chaparrals’ secondary, led by lightning-fast DB George Jones III (32 tackles, 7 INTs) and versatile safety Brandon Clark (76 tackles, 8 TFL, 3 INTs), is among the best in the state.
Additionally, the likes of Thompson Bennett (78 tackles, 2 INTs), Payton Luther (70 tackles, 1 INT), Bo Massengale (64 tackles, 7 TFL), and Maddox Flynt (59 tackles, 10 TFL, 4 sacks) make up one of the most well-rounded defenses in Texas.
This will be Westlake’s 12th appearance in a State Championship game. The Chaparrals are aiming for their fifth title, and they’re determined to add another to their collection after they secured a three-peat against Guyer in 2021.
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The main event of the 2024 season takes place this Saturday at 7:00 PM, when these two 6A heavyweights clash at AT&T Stadium.