Clarksville Academy quarterback receives semifinalist nomination for 2022-23 Mr. Football Award

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The TSSAA announced on Thursday that Clarksville Academy quarterback DJ Merriweather has been nominated as a semifinalist for the 2022–23 Mr. Football award.

Merriweather is one of five high school football players nominated for the Mr. Football award at the Division-II Class-A level. He is a player who does it all for the Cougars.

Clarksville Academy has been one of the most explosive teams throughout Montgomery County in terms of offensive production. The program has averaged 34.3 points per game this season.

The Cougars’ high-powered offense has been led by Merriweather under center. The senior quarterback is known as a “dual-threat quarterback,” which means he is an effective runner and passer.

According to Max Preps, Merriweather has completed around 60% of his passing attempts for 2,040 yards. His passing total is a school record for Clarksville Academy. In addition, his passing touchdown-to-interception ratio is 27:2.

Statistics show that Merriweather is just as effective running the ball. He has rushed 85 times for 875 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. That includes rushing for over 100 yards in a game three different times this season.

His production doesn’t stop there, however. Merriweather is a leader on defense for the Cougars as well. He plays linebacker for Clarksville Academy and has compiled 41 total tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass deflection, 1 fumble recovery and a pick-six during the 2022–23 campaign.

This isn’t the first time that Merriweather has been nominated for a state-wide award either. The cross-sport athlete was previously recognized as a finalist for Mr. Baseball at the Division II-Class-A level and finished runner-up.

“I couldn’t think of a kid who deserves it more than DJ,” Clarksville Academy Head Coach Scott Murray told Clarksville Now. “He’s a hard worker; he comes in everyday and does exactly what’s asked of him; he’s a student of the game, and there’s not a better person around.”

Murray detailed that this nomination is a huge step for the Cougars program as well. The head coach said that it solidifies the progress Clarksville Academy’s football program is making as a team and for the student-athletes individually.