CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Northeast won over Clarksville High Friday in the second round of the Class 5A Playoffs, becoming the first Montgomery County team since 2013 to advance to the third round.
The margin of victory proved to be narrow, in what was a showdown between two evenly matched teams.
On fourth-and-2 with less than a minute remaining in regulation, Eagles defensive tackle Gabriel Austin dropped back in coverage and picked off the Wildcat pass attempt to seal a 17-15 victory.
“It’s a great feeling,” Austin said. “Not a lot of teams make it to the playoffs. I saw the running back wave his hand and the quarterback point to him to run. I just followed him and picked it.”
Northeast took the win on their home turf.
“It feels great because regardless of what the score was the first time we played them, we knew that there was no way that it was going to be like that again,” said Northeast football coach Brandon Clark. “Clarksville had improved way too much and they had not lost a game since they played us. Winning a home second-round playoff game is huge especially against your crosstown and traditional rival.”
Clarksville football coach Isaac Shelby was gracious in defeat after the game, taking his hat off to Northeast for getting the job done.
“They’re a really good team,” Shelby said. “It was hard to get Leaupepe (Elijah) blocked. No matter what we did, he seemed to make plays…I was proud of our kids effort. I thought they played really hard we just didn’t come out on the winning side.”
Key plays
Clinging to a two-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Eagles quarterback Jaiden Puig was able to find his targets Dante Jarrett and Jaylen Bussey on two separate third-and-long plays to keep the chains moving.
“Those were clutch balls when we needed them,” Clark said. “We had to have them.”
Later in the drive, Clarksville was called for a face-mask penalty on a sack attempt which resulted in an automatic first down and even more importantly for the Wildcats, a lot of time lost on the game clock.
The outcome was all but decided until a lost fumble on first-and-goal for the Eagles gave the Wildcats new life. That was until Austin came away with the game-clinching interception to send the Eagles onto the next round.
Game summary
The Wildcats struck first in the early going, as Jamar Carnell capped off a nine-minute drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown before a missed extra point attempt.
On the very next possession, Puig marched the Eagle offense right down the field to set up a goal-line touchdown from tailback Juwan Harris.
“Right when they scored, I went over to the other side of the field and said to myself, ‘I’m meant for this’,” Puig said. “Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time situations. I told the offense lets get ready to roll.”
With eight minutes remaining in the second quarter, Clarksville defensive back Rayshawn Bowling came away with an interception and returned it deep into Eagle territory. The Wildcats cashed in on the turnover with a 37-yard field goal from Andrew Irvin to retake a 9-7 lead.
After a Northeast punt gave the ball back to Clarksville, Sean Spencer jumped in front of a Wildcat receiver and picked off the pass attempt.
With 10 seconds left to play in the first half, Eagles kicker Nick Kauffman connected on a 43-yard field goal to put Northeast back in front 10-9 at the break.
“It was huge,” Clark said of the kick. “It was the difference in the game. The funny thing is, I don’t think he had the greatest day in the world at practice yesterday. But today, he was extremely zoned in. I had him in class and he was zoned in on his classwork even. Today was a good day for Nick Kauffman.”
Harris ran with reckless abandonment in the third quarter, breaking off numerous long gains on the ground to get Northeast deep into Clarksville territory. Jaylin Bowser later took advantage of the tired defense for a 15-yard rushing touchdown. The successful point after extended the Eagle lead to 17-9.
The Wildcat crowd did everything it could to rattle the Eagle offense, as Northeast committed several pre-snap penalties down the stretch.
Shelby was thrilled with the turnout from the fans and their overall dedication to the program.
“They were great,” Shelby said. “They bought the tickets up quick. We have great fans, great teachers, great administrators and no matter what the situation is, they show up and support our kids. They’re really passionate and I’m glad they’re here.”
With 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, sophomore quarterback Davin Garinger took advantage of the Eagle miscues and free yardage, keeping the ball himself for a five-yard touchdown run.
The Eagle defense stepped up time and time again in the second half. No stop was bigger than keeping Clarksville out of the end zone after the Garinger score, holding the door on the two-point attempt and preserving the lead.
“I feel like they got some swagger back tonight,” Clark said of his defense. “We didn’t really get it back against Antioch because we rotated so many subs in and out of the game…We did some bending, but we didn’t break. Coach Colston (Jesse) our defensive coordinator did a great job of getting them prepared all week.”
Up next
After the game, Shelby reflected back on the resolve his seniors showed throughout this season.
“I feel bad for them,” Shelby said. “They give everybody an extra year of college. I just wish they gave an extra year of high school. Not going to camp and not doing some of the things we normally do definitely makes it hard.”
Northeast (7-2) moves on and will take on Henry County (9-2) Friday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Class 5A quarterfinals.
The Patriots throttled the Eagles in the two teams’ previous meeting this season 58-0. Clark hopes his team will find a way to erase the stigma associated with facing the region power.
“We have got to convince our kids that when you play Henry County, we’re playing against their players,” Clark said. “We’re not playing against their booster club and we’re not playing against their stadium or coaching staff. We’ve got to get that mindset to them and it’s 100 percent my responsibility. We’re going to mentally be in the right place this time around.”