CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek Coyotes looked to play the role of spoiler Thursday night on Hilda J. Richardson Field with Clarksville High needing a win to secure their spot in the Class 6A playoffs.
But the Wildcats came out hungry and controlled the contest from start to finish, dominating in all three phases of the game to earn a 51-0 shutout win.
FINAL@ClarksvilleFB (5-3, 2-2) 51@Westcreek_FB (1-7, 0-4) 0
The Wildcats punch their ticket to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. pic.twitter.com/n9EmfuMyG9
— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) October 8, 2021
“I think we’re growing each year,” said Clarksville High football coach Isaac Shelby on the evolution of the program. “I’m excited about that. When I first got here, making the playoffs was a cool thing, and now it’s starting to be like an expectation. … I’m proud of the kids, I think the coaches did a good job and we just played really well tonight.”
Senior Rayshawn Bowling had a performance for the ages. The talented running back/defensive back recorded five total touchdowns, including four on offense and one on the defensive side of the ball.
4th QTR- :12.3
Oh my word. @BowlingRayshawn have a night. pic.twitter.com/2RHNa97luv— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) October 8, 2021
“Did he really?” Shelby said. “He had five? I can’t think of the last time that happened. He’s just a tough kid who’s competitive and likes to play. I think if you ask him, he’ll tell you that the guys blocking are playing hard in front of him.”
Teaching moments
Shelby was pleased with the poise his group showed for a majority of the game, but voiced his displeasure early on with his defense’s inability to get lined up despite possessing a sizable lead.
“You work really hard to get your substitutions to where you’re matching somebody else’s personnel,” Shelby said. “We had some young guys out there in the secondary who showed their inexperience a little bit, but we’ll get those kind of things corrected moving forward.”
Game summary
Bowling put the Wildcats on the board less than five minutes into the game with a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
1st QTR- 7:40@BowlingRayshawn takes it off the edge and into the end zone from seven yards out. PAT is good. @ClarksvilleFB scores on their opening possession to take an early 7-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/R943FOPURz
— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) October 8, 2021
West Creek later committed a holding penalty in their own end zone that resulted in a 9-0 early advantage for Clarksville.
CHS rattled off 22 points in the second quarter, as Deago Buck found paydirt in between a pair of scores by Bowling.
2nd QTR- :25.6@BowlingRayshawn just has a nose for the end zone. After the successful 2-point conversion, @ClarksvilleFB leads 31-0. pic.twitter.com/AnjyR1fweV
— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) October 8, 2021
With less than three minutes left to play in the third quarter, Buck was wrapped up by a pack of Coyotes, but kept his legs churning before breaking the plane to make it 38-0.
3rd QTR- 2:28
Deago Buck records two impressive carries in a row to extend @ClarksvilleFB’s lead to 38-0. pic.twitter.com/AHaNVLBkza— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) October 8, 2021
The Wildcats first score of the fourth quarter came on an option play, as quarterback Jamar Carnell pitched the ball to Bowling, who then walked into the end zone for six points.
In the final seconds of the game, Bowling added the exclamation point with a pick six on defense, shaking off multiple tacklers on his way to the end zone.
Up next
West Creek (1-7, 0-4) hosts Whites Creek Friday, Oct. 22 in a non-region matchup.
Clarksville (5-3, 2-2) welcomes in Maplewood Friday, Oct. 22 for a Region 5-6A contest.
Both schools will have a week off from game action due to fall break.
“We’re going to take some time off and let these kids get some rest and their feet back under them,” Shelby said. “Then we’ll go from there. The thing is to just keep getting better every week.”