CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Cobras took a short trip down Rossview Road to Rossview High School for the Battle of Exit 8 on Friday. An electric atmosphere and sellout crowd set the stage for a fantastic matchup between the two teams, undefeated against city opponents. Until it wasn’t. Kirkwood controlled the contest from opening tip to the final buzzer and made a statement with a 71-40 win on the road.

The Hawks started the game on a 4-0 run, but that would be their only lead of the contest. The Cobras then made six straight stops turned into scores to set the tone, and off we went. It felt like Kirkwood couldn’t miss on the offensive end, while Rossview struggled to find a rhythm. Kirkwood guard Armani Smith was feeling it too, shooting anything from anywhere, and ending the first half with 21 (yes, 21) points. The Cobras held a staggering 50-21 lead at the halftime break.

“We shot it great,” said Kirkwood head coach John Stigall. “It sounds simple, but it’s a make-or-miss game, and we made a lot. When we do that and defend at a decent level, we can be pretty good. The key is our energy and momentum; those guys feed off of that.”

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The second half was more tame, with the two teams matching each other’s scores, but the damage was already done. Smith finished with 30, and Cobra guards Bryce Garnett and Travis Rivers finished with 15 and 10, respectively, to finish with three Cobras in double figures.

Despite the Hawks’ only loss, head coach Johnny Jackson was disappointed with what he saw on the floor. “They played way better than us; we gave no effort and got embarrassed,” said Jackson. “I’ve never been mercy ruled at home; it’s hard to put into words how this loss feels. Give John and his team all the credit; they kicked our tail. We just have to keep in mind we’re gonna get another shot at them.”

As for Kirkwood, they’ve now beaten all three of their district opponents, winning by 26 or more points in each matchup. For Stigall and his squad, it’s about keeping the main thing the main thing and not getting too big-headed off the wins.

“We had to play very well to beat them; they’re a great team,” said Stigall. “If you ask the players, I just have to be a jerk and tell them they haven’t won anything yet. It only counts as one win; it was a very nice trophy with the TV and all that, but we want the trophy they hand out in February. When we play them again, it’ll be 0-0.”

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