CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After a disappointing season a year ago, the Northwest Vikings have gotten off to a scintillating start to the 2019 season, outscoring their opponents 78-19 en route to a 3-0 record under first-year head coach Neil Furnish.

Since his arrival, Furnish’s first order of business was to change the culture of the football program while simultaneously creating a winning attitude.

“I wanted a change in my coaching career that allowed me to work with kids and an area that values athletics more,” Furnish said. “At Northwest High School there is no doubt that our kids face different challenges then the kids across town. With that being said, I believe helping these young people see they can have the same experiences and opportunities when it comes to building a winning culture can happen anywhere. It’s rewarding to watch these kids believe and work for common goals to improve individually and as a team each day.”

Talent was another reason the Viking coaching job lured Furnish to Clarksville, as Northwest’s current roster is riddled with quality players on both sides of the ball.

“Laquaylin Nickelson is a tremendous athlete that will take the major load of our offense,” Furnish said. “Taveris Albury has a motor and ability to set our defense up for a lot of success. Jamal Mull is a young man who’s tall, strong and has a very strong work ethic. He will anchor our line on both sides of the ball. Robert Backer is a true definition of athlete. He’s a game changer. Dominic Giarratano is probably the glue guy for both sides of the ball. Not flashy but a great high school football player.”

Furnish expects to see his new group exemplify a selfless attitude and understand that no one player is bigger than the team.

“First it has to be the accountability issues of showing up and changing the way we approach each day,” Furnish said. “Our players now have an all for one and one for all approach and understand how to treat one another. We are beginning to understand the meaning of celebrating each another’s successes.”

After rattling off three straight victories to begin the season, the Vikings are hopeful that they can continue to carry their momentum over from week to week.

“The defensive side of the ball has a confidence and a belief that each player is going to do their job,” Furnish said. “This is a very tight unit that believes in each other and complements each other’s talent levels. We understand that our defense and special teams are the strength of this team. We are working very hard to improve in all three phases each day.”

Northwest (3-0) hosts Montgomery Central Friday, Sept. 13.

2019 Schedule
Aug. 23 Hunters Lane                (W) 17-0
Aug. 30 at Greenbrier                 (W) 32-7
Sept. 6 at West Creek                 (W) 29-12
Sept. 13 Montgomery Central
Sept. 20 Kenwood
Sept. 27 at Summitt
Oct. 4 at Dyer County
Oct. 11 at Northeast
Oct. 18 Bye
Oct. 25 Clarksville High
Nov. 1 Henry County
Nov. 8 Playoffs round one