CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Last season, the Clarksville High Wildcats went undefeated for the first time since 1945, but they fell in the first round of the playoffs in a heartbreaking one-point loss against Collierville. Now, the reloaded squad looks to repeat last year’s regular season and make a deeper run into the postseason.
The 2023 Wildcats were dominant, scoring 492 points and allowing only 74 against them. They trailed for less than a minute all season, but unfortunately they trailed in the final seconds of their playoff game against Collierville, where they lost 23-22.
Head coach Isaac Shelby and his staff are strategizing how to avoid a first round loss this year.
“We’re always worried about week 11,” said Shelby. “We had that game won till the very end, so we’ve gone back and looked at some things this offseason. We’re working on things throughout the year to give our kids the best chance against those Memphis teams.”
If you’ve followed football in this city, you know exactly what you’re going to get from Shelby’s Wildcats: a physical, option-based rushing attack, that will run the ball and then pass when you put everyone in the box. The offense will be led by running back James Dalrymple, and reigning Region 7-6A Player of the Year Ahmoyre Galbreath.
“People should except a well-coached team that’s tough and executes at a high level,” said Shelby. “We played a lot of sophomores and juniors last year at the skills spots, and with more experience we should be able to open some things up.”
Shelby said his team understands the expectations for this year.
“We have to get in the playoffs and make some noise,” said Shelby. “Every team wants to do better than the team before them, it’s always a big deal to these kids. We’re ready to make our school and our community proud.”
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