CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – After finishing the 2016 at 2-8, The Clarksville Wildcats season did not end as planned, but that was last year.

The Wildcats enter 2017 under fourth-year head coach Isaac Shelby and look to bounce back to one of the city’s top teams. Spring practice is in full swing for the Wildcats along with other teams in the area.

Spring practice for coaches is a good time to evaluate what their teams look like and get a preview for the upcoming season. Assistant coach Rob Gallowitz is excited about what he has seen so far.

“The biggest thing for this spring is we are finally able to get guys in their true positions,” Gallowitz said. “Last year due to depth issues and youth, a lot of players had to play out of their position to help the team. For example, two of our offensive linemen from last year now are playing TE. We have depth along the defensive and offensive line so basically this spring is about getting those guys comfortable and owning their position.”

The Wildcats return dynamic players Bobby Jackson and Malik Santiago, as well as junior Josh Watch. They also return arguably one of the best kickers in the city in Kaden Patterson. But football is a team sport, and Gallowitz knows there are a lot of areas that need improving if the Wildcats are wanting to make a post season run in November.

“We had a very successful off-season program this past winter so we are looking to take that momentum into the spring and summer and really build off that. We will definitely be able to see where we stand with the spring games scheduled and with several younger athletes getting varsity minutes last year. Hopefully that turns into our advantage this year,” Gallowitz said.

The Wildcats will scrimmage Portland at home on May 5 and then travel to Muscle Shoals on May 12.

Clarksville High opens their 2017 campaign at home on August 18 against crosstown rival, the Rossview Hawks, in the battle of the Warfield Shield. You can follow the Wildcats on twitter @ClarksvilleFB

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