CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville High quarterback Davin Garinger has earned Clarksville Now Player of the Week honors following his rushing performance in a Wildcats home playoff win.
During the opening round, Clarksville High (8-3) faced Overton (6-6) as their initial opponent. The Wildcats defeated the Bobcats 47-14 behind their lethal rushing attack.
Clarksville High’s offensive unit was led by Garinger under center, and he helped control the pace. The senior quarterback finished against Overton with 13 carries for 91 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
His passing attempts were limited, but he did complete one pass for a 7-yard touchdown.
“Overton’s a really good team, and they really challenged us during week one, but I feel like we were super prepared as a team,” Garinger told Clarksville Now. “I liked seeing our offense and defense put it all together during the game, and our special teams really executed during last week as well. Our play made me excited for another big game ahead.”
2022-23 season
Garinger has been a lethal dual threat quarterback for the Wildcats all season long. He is a run-first player under center due to the nature of the team’s option offense.
According to Clarksville High Assistant Coach Ethan Schmidt, Garinger has compiled 107 carries for 671 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. These statistics speak volumes for the quarterback, because he has averaged 6.27 yards per carry and 61 yards per game this season.
He can move the ball through the air when needed as well. Garinger has completed around 54% of his passes for 729 yards during the 2022-23 season. That brings his average to an astounding 14.58 yards per completion.
Even with all of the success the quarterback has had this season, he had to battle through adversity to get to this point. Garinger missed all of last season with a shoulder injury.
“I tried to step up as a leader last year to prepare some of the guys for the regular season and playoff games,” said Garinger. “Seeing our team play only gave me more motivation to come out stronger during this past off-season.”
Garinger said his playoff experience from his freshmen and sophomore seasons will play to his advantage. After one week, it seems as though that is the case for an experienced Clarksville High team.
Coaches corner
“Davin is very talented,” Clarksville High Head Coach Isaac Shelby told Clarksville Now. “He has natural arm talent, and what makes him truly special is his competitive drive. He wants to win all the time in everything, and that’s not something he can turn on and off. It’s the way he is wired.”
“Davin also sets an example in the locker room. He’s a natural leader on this team and is respected by the guys around him. Even when he was hurt all of last season, he was voted unanimous captain. What can you say about a kid like that?”
Clarksville High is scheduled to travel to Cane Ridge to take on Ravens in the next round of the playoffs. The game is set to take place on Friday, Nov. 11. The Wildcats will look to extend their 6-game winning streak and extend their postseason run.
Garinger plans to play football at the next level, but is undecided where he’ll be attending school right now. The student-athlete is interested in studying business next fall.
Honorable mention
Several other players had great weeks on the football field. Here are some that merit special mention:
- Clarksville Academy quarterback DJ Merriweather; 11 out of 18 completions for 171 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 20 carries for 173 rushing yards and 3 rushing touchdowns. (Merriweather had a great game but has already had his moment for Player of the Week.)
- Northeast High running back Jeremiah Williams; 12 carries for +100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
- Clarksville High running back James Dalrymple; 10 carries for 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
Player of the Week
- Week 11: Clarksville Academy wide receiver lands Player of the Week after record-breaking performance
- Week 10: West Creek quarterback locked up Player of the Week with 3-touchdown performance
- Week 9: Fort Campbell quarterback plays his way into Player of the Week honors
- Week 8: Northwest running back makes Player of the Week for producing 213 yards against Nashville Christian
- Week 7: Northeast quarterback earns Player of the Week for throwing 7 touchdowns against Northwest
- Week 6: Clarksville Academy wide receiver named Player of the Week for hauling in 7 catches for 100 yards, 2 touchdowns
- Week 5: Fort Campbell running back Player of the Week for 118 yards, 2 touchdowns in Army Bowl
- Week 4: Northeast running back makes Player of the Week for posting 322 rushing yards against Rossview
- Week 3: CHS running back named Player of the Week after Warfield Shield win
- Week 2: Clarksville Academy quarterback named Player of the Week for 5-touchdown game
- Week 1: Montgomery Central running back named Player of the Week for 218 all purpose yards