CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – As Clarksville High enters the 2023-24 football season, the Wildcats will look to make their seventh consecutive playoff appearance, which is currently the longest streak in Montgomery County.
Clarksville High is coming off a season where they compiled a record of 8-4 and made it to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Cane Ridge High.
Wildcats head coach Isaac Shelby said his team had to turn their attention back to the basics this off-season after significant roster turnover from last year.
“For this team we want to execute fundamental football at a high level,” Shelby said. “We lost a lot of guys and we kind of had to go back to square one. There’s not as much experience and we have to figure out ways to not make mistakes.”
Shelby said he’s unsure what his team’s identity is for the time being but expects to find out during the back third of the season. The head coach did say that the development of the Wildcats defensive line has stood out the most coming into 2023.
Other position groups that have impressed Shelby include the offensive line and wingbacks.
Offensive and defensive philosophy
Shelby said that from year to year, their offensive system changes with the player personnel they have on the team, and this year is no different. Nevertheless, the head coach said that there are core principles that remain the same.
As for their defense, Shelby said his team “majors” in an odd front. The focus point of the Wildcats defense this year is about making tackles in open space while creating turnovers.
What’s next
Clarksville High football began their season when they took on the Montgomery Central Indians and won by a score of 56-0.
The Wildcats now turn their attention to the Springfield Yellow Jackets who also won their first matchup of the year. According to Max Preps, here is the rest of the 2023 schedule for Clarksville High.
- Away against Kenwood High on September 1.
- Away against Hopkinsville High on September 7.
- Away against West Creek High on September 15.
- Home against Dickson County on September 22.
- Home against Northwest High on September 29.
- Away against Kirkwood High on October 6.
- Home against Rossview High on October 20.
- Home against Northeast High on October 27.
More football season previews
- Fort Campbell High remains eager for another football playoff run during 2023-24 season
- Kirkwood High Cobras get ready for their first football season
- Northeast High football looks to return to playoffs under new head coach Sam Lipsey
- Clarksville Academy looks to build culture and compete under new head football coach Steadman Bell
- Head coach Reynaldo Pena expects more from Northwest football entering 2023 season
- With head coach Rob Gallowitz leading pack, West Creek eager to close out games