CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville High football welcomed in Northeast Friday at Hilda J. Richardson Field.

After being kept at bay through one quarter of play, CHS’s rushing attack got going and never stopped en route to a 38-19 lopsided victory on homecoming.

“They played really hard,” said Clarksville High football coach Isaac Shelby of the opposition. “They’re super athletic and got us on a couple things, but I think our kids did what they needed to in order to win tonight.”

The Wildcats pounded the ball on the ground with their stable of running backs including Rayshawn Bowling, Jamar Carnell, Chris Bagatini, Deago Buck and Ahmoyre Galbreath.

Shelby believes the addition of former Rossview and Eastern Illinois standout Isaiah Johnson to the coaching staff has done wonders for that particular position group.

“We got in a formation I think they had some trouble aligning to,” Shelby said. “We just kept banging it in there. . . Isaiah is a great coach. He’s a young guy who is just always happy and the kids love him.”

Stopping the skid

The Eagles have now dropped five consecutive contests after having relatively high expectations entering the season.

“Well we’ve definitely had some kids out with injuries,” said Northeast football coach Brandon Clark on what has attributed the most to the losing skid. “That has not helped anything. The positive with that is that we’ve had other guys step up like Taylor Cramer who made some great catches tonight. I don’t think we’ve had one game where we’ve had everybody playing, but the silver lining is that a lot of these young kids are getting awesome experience.”

Game summary

Northeast struck first on the game’s opening drive, as quarterback Brandon Jackson found William Smithson over the middle of the field for a 35-yard touchdown.

After an impressive first series, the Eagle offense was unable to sustain a similar level of output for a majority of the game.

“We just were not in a rhythm for whatever reason,” Clark said. “We haven’t found a groove yet this year and we’re trying to find that groove. I feel like we still have some penalty issues to work out even though that’s getting a little better. Turnovers have hurt us. It’s just frustrating.”

In the second quarter, the Eagles came up with a big takeaway when CHS coughed up the ball inside Northeast’s 1-yard line.

However, the Wildcats would go on to rattle off 21 unanswered points in the final five minutes of the first half to take a two-touchdown lead into the break.

Shelby was pleased with the resiliency his team showed after bouncing back from the turnover.

“It’s tough,” Shelby said. “A big problem for us for awhile has been turning it over at the goal line, but ole number 6 (Jamar Carnell) came through for us, shook it off and had a great night.”

Carnell put his team on the board in the second quarter after corralling the high snap from his center and faking a handoff before diving into the end zone.

The Wildcats were able to catch the Eagles off guard on the ensuing kickoff to regain possession. Rayshawn Bowling put Clarksville in front on the same drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.

Shelby credited Coach Conway (Stephen) with making the decision to go for the onside kick and get the ball back on special teams.

“It was an alert play,” Shelby said. “We had practiced it all week. We weren’t sure if we were going to use it, but we liked it in that particular spot. Coach Conway was able to get the message to Andrew (Irvin) who was then able to execute it.”

With one minute left to play in the second quarter, Clarksville fullback Chris Bagatini got loose for a 50-yard touchdown run.

According to Shelby, the tides turned for good on that backbreaking  score.

“I think the one that broke it open was Chris’s long run before the half,” Shelby said. “That was big for us.”

With just under five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Wildcat kicker Andrew Irvin put the ball through the uprights from 26 yards out.

The area’s top kicker was once again automatic on the night, hitting his only field goal try and connecting on all five extra-point attempts.

Northeast showed signs of life on their next possession, as wide receiver Dez Fort was able to haul in a pass from Jackson before shaking free from numerous tackles on the way to the end zone.

Bowling scored from 17 yards out in the final minute of the third quarter. The versatile tailback later recorded a hat trick on a 20-yard touchdown run to put the game on ice.

On the last play of the game, the Eagles converted on a Hail Mary attempt when Brandon Phillips came down with the ball from Jackson in the end zone.

Up next

Northeast (1-5, 0-2 Region 7-5A) will get a good opportunity to bounce back in their next game Friday, Oct. 1 at home against Northwest.

“We’re still hanging in there and still fighting,” Clark said. “Our playoff hopes aren’t over with. I’m ready to see a fully-executed game where we don’t have any bonehead special teams plays or missed assignments on offense or defense. That’s my goal for this week and really every week as far as that aspect goes.”

Clarksville (4-2, 1-1 Region 5-6A) goes on the road for a tough test Friday, Oct. 1 against their region-leader Hendersonville.

“They have a great group of players and coaches and they play good competition,” Shelby said. “We’re going to have to get to work this week and try to figure it out. They’re a quality program.”