CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – West Creek head coach James Figueroa has been around since the school’s inception 11 years ago. He has seen the Coyote program go through its ebbs and flows as well as evolve into a breeding ground for some of the top talent in the city.

“We had some good players come out of West Creek,” Figueroa said. “C.J. Board, Jule Pace, Xavier Mitchell who all played in college and two of them are playing in the NFL and NFL Europe League. We are still a young school. We have lots of movement with the military and had some move because of PCS (permanent change of station). Our biggest class we had was in 2017 with 25 seniors.”Figueroa discussed what it means to be able to bring in a former Coyote to his current coaching staff in Pace who played the game at the next level.

“Jule (Pace) brings a lot of energy to practice,” Figueroa said. “He has helped our younger players with techniques and skills he learned from coach Marcus West, who is one of the best defensive-line coaches in the country. He brings a strong work ethic to practice and our players love being around him.”

The Coyotes return eight starters on offense and seven on defense and have a total of 17 seniors on the roster in 2019.

“They bring playing experience and that is big this year,” Figueroa said. “They know what it takes to compete in this region because everyone is good.”

Coyotes quarterback Ti-Anthony Wagner threw for over 1,000 yards while returning running back Yahsir Thomas led West Creek on the ground and in touchdowns last season.

“Ti is such a composed and coachable player,” Figueroa said of his quarterback. “He studies film and is the leader on our team. Our players rally around him. Yahsir is probably one of the best backs that West Creek has had in a long time. He is a quiet player works hard in practice and always compete at the highest level. Walter Batey has been with the program for four years. He is the strongest and fastest player on the team.  He is willing to do whatever it takes for our team to be successful. All of those players are two-sport athletes and it shows when they come to practice.”

Figueroa has preached student first, athlete second to his players and hopes this mindset will also translate to more on-the-field success for his team as the season continues.

“Doing the right things in the classroom, in the community and in practice,” Figueroa said. “They have been working all summer to get themselves to be a better football team. This is a special group of players and they are fun to coach. I love being around them every day. I hope the hard work pays off.”

West Creek (1-2) hosts Cheatham County Friday, Sept. 13.

2019 Schedule
Aug. 23 Greenbrier                          (W) 27-19
Aug. 30 at Montgomery Central  (L) 21-12
Sept. 6 Northwest                             (L) 29-12
Sept. 13 Cheatham County
Sept. 20 Portland
Sept. 27 at Northeast
Oct. 4 at Kenwood
Oct. 11 Henry County
Oct. 18 Bye
Oct. 25 Dyer County
Nov. 1 at Clarksville High
Nov. 8 Playoffs round one