CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) The 2018 High School Football season kicks off Friday, Aug. 10 with the annual jamboree at Austin Peay State University’s (APSU) Fortera Stadium.
With intense rivalries between the Clarksville High Wildcats and the Rossview Hawks and the return of some high profile players, the jamboree will set the stage for the coming season and provide fans a first look at the teams and players that have made the most effort in the off-season.
Here’s a look at the makeup of local teams, coaches and standout players:
Clarksville High School – Head Coach Isaac Shelby is entering his fourth season since returning in 2015. A CHS graduate (Class of 2001), Shelby teaches Weightlifting and Interdisciplinary Studies. Follow him on Twitter @IsaacShelby and follow CHS Football @ClarksvilleFB
The Wildcats were 5-6 overall in 2017
Wildcats Roster
Clarksville Academy – Head Coach John David Sellers is entering his second season after a seven-year stint at APSU where he was Assistant Coach after playing quarterback. He is a graduate of Appling County High school (Class of 2005). Follow the Cougars on Twitter @CAFootball2018
The Cougars were 3-8 overall last season
Cougars Roster
Fort Campbell– Head Coach Joshua Robins will lead the Falcons in his second season. After a rocky first season he’s intent on improving in year two. Robins has also been named Athletic Director for the upcoming school year. Follow the Falcons on Twitter @FC_FALCONS_FB
The Falcons were 2-8 overall in 2018
Falcons Roster
Kenwood– Head Coach Robert Gillard returns for his second season at the helm of the Knights. Formerly of Austin-East and Sheffield, Gillard is a graduate of Merry High in Jackson (Class of 1990). Follow the Knights on Twitter @Kenwood_Football
Coach Gillard commented on a great offseason and spoke on the focus of becoming stronger and mentally tough.
The Knights were 3-7 overall in 2017.
Knights Roster
Montgomery Central– Entering his seventh season as Head Coach, Jeff Tomlinson will lead the Indians in what he hopes is an upward trend. The past two seasons have been 5-15. Previously of Creek Wood, Tomlinson became head coach of the Indians in 2012.
The Indian’s went 2-8 overall in 2017
Indians Roster
Northeast– Head Coach Chad Watson enters his second season with the Eagles. His first coaching job came after college at his Alma mater Macon County (2009-11) before becoming head coach at Lancaster Christian in 2012. Follow him on Twitter @CoachWatson18 and follow the Eagles @NEFOOTBALL18
The Eagles were 7-4 overall in 2017
Eagles Roster
Northwest– Entering his sixth season as Head Coach, Vernon Wright is a Clarksville native. He played at New Providence in middle school, and at Kenwood in high school (Class of 2001) before playing linebacker at Austin Peay after a season at Maryville Community College. Follow him on Twitter @thewrightleader and the Vikings @1vikingfootball
The Vikings were 1-9 in 2017
Vikings Roster
Rossview– Head Coach Todd Hood is entering his second season as leader of the Hawks, after stops at Montgomery Central, Northwest and Fort Campbell. He accepted his first head coaching position at Clarksville Academy in 2010 before ultimately landing at Rossview. Follow the Hawks on Twitter @RossviewFTBL
Coach Hood lost 25 players from last year’s roster and is excited to see his younger players step up. They are a fun group to coach. They know how to work hard and are very competitive. We want to go out and win on Friday nights,” he said.
The Hawks were 6-5 overall in 2017
Hawks Roster
West Creek– James Figueroa has been with the Coyotes since 2009, becoming head coach in 2016. Figueroa was the defensive coordinator at Rossview from 2003-07. He also coached at Kenwood (1999-2003) and Clarksville High (2005-08). Follow West Creek on Twitter @WestCreek_FB
He’ll enter his third season after losing 24 players from last season’s roster and looks to continue to build on a 5-5 overall record in the 2017 season. “We want to finish what we started last year. They know how to win and we just have to play better and limit mistakes on the field,” he said.
5-5 overall record in 2017
Coyotes Roster