CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Academy Cougars hosted the Innovation Academy Sentinels for their first live scrimmage of the fall. The Cougars dominated on both sides of the ball, scoring through both their ground game and the aerial attack, while their defense did not allow a single touchdown on the night.

“We talk about it all the time. We’re a smaller team, so defense and turnovers are huge for us,” Clarksville Academy head coach Steadman Bell told Clarksville Now. “We did a great job of tackling and stripping the ball out tonight and turned those into scores. Offensively, we were able to do what I love which is run the ball down the field, while mixing in some explosives.”

Senior receiver Kaleb Settles got the scoring started for the Cougars, who caught a strike from senior quarterback Ethan Bones in the back of the endzone for a touchdown. Jayden Ladner followed that score up on the next drive with a rushing touchdown from 40 yards out. Then, the very next offensive play for Clarksville Academy, Gray Snodgrass broke free for an 80-yard touchdown reception.

Defensively, in addition to not allowing a touchdown, Clarksville Academy never let the Sentinels get across midfield and caused four turnovers. Two of those turnovers were fumbles recovered by linebacker Tazmier Johnson, both of which he returned for touchdowns.

While Bell isn’t completely satisfied with where his team is currently at, he believes this is a scrimmage that his squad can build off of heading into regular season, which is only a few weeks away.

“We have to understand where our expectations are,” said Bell. “We’re going to get back here tomorrow, watch the film and fix things, but also, I want these kids to have success and continue to do the things they did right. Just like we do in the season, the 24-hour rule on this scrimmage, then we’re right back at it. We have to continue to build on this heading into the season.”

2025-26 Clarksville football season previews