Saturday the 13th just got a whole lot more interesting for Clarksville. On Dec. 13, Fortera Stadium will be packed with nearly 100 of Tennessee’s top senior football players ready to leave everything on the field one last time.

The Tennessee East-West All-Star Classic is back, and it’s bringing talent from over 60 high schools across the state. Players hit town on Wednesday, Dec. 10, for daily practices, which means you’ve got a whole week to spot football stars around town.

“For most of these athletes, this game will be their last time to play organized, competitive football,” said Visit Clarksville Board Chairman Ginna Holleman. “A high-caliber facility like Austin Peay’s Fortera Stadium makes such a positive impression and gives them a memorable experience. We are honored to provide that.”

Good for football, great for Clarksville

While these players are grinding it out at practice, their families are exploring everything Clarksville has to offer. They’re eating at our restaurants, shopping at our stores, and discovering why we love living here. That translates to more than $250,000 in local sales tax, with about $170,000 going straight back to our school system.

Since we started hosting this game in 2017, visiting teams and families have pumped more than $3.7 million into our local economy. Not bad for a weekend of football, right? Visit Clarksville and the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association liked the partnership so much, they’ve committed to keeping the game here through 2026.

The coaching matchup

Gene Robinson from Germantown High School will lead the West team, while Thomas Osteen from Marshall County High School commands the East squad. College coaches from multiple states will be scouting the practices all week, looking for hidden gems they might have missed during recruiting season. You never know which player could be the next big thing.

“The game is considered the state’s top event of its kind, showcasing many of the state’s top senior football players and high school football coaches,” said Bill Marbet, executive director of the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association.

The rowdy sidelines

Seventeen cheerleaders from across Tennessee earned their spots cheering from the sidelines too, and they had to work for it. These all-stars maintained a 3.0 GPA, logged community service hours, and wrote essays to secure their spot during the All-Star Classic.

Join the fun!

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 at Fortera Stadium. Tickets are just $8 for everyone ages 3 and up. Got a valid military I.D.? You’re in for free. And here’s a cool perk for local high schoolers: Wear your high school jersey to the game and you don’t pay a dime.

So grab your friends, throw on some warm layers, and come watch Tennessee’s finest give it their best shot. It’s going to be one heck of a game.