CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville High School hosted one of Montgomery County’s first opportunities to see our teams compete this week as the Wildcats welcomed West Creek, Montgomery Central and several other surrounding schools for a 7-on-7.

While the summer event offered every program a chance to evaluate its roster before the season, no team had more to learn than the host Wildcats, who are replacing last year’s starting quarterback.

Football player in a purple jersey and white helmet runs with the ball on a grassy field, with teammates and bleachers in the background.
Player in maroon jumps to catch a football as a defender in purple raises hands to block him on a sunny field; referee nearby and parked cars in the background.
Quarterback in a red jersey and helmet throws a football on a grassy field during practice, with bleachers and a purple paw banner in the background.
Coach wearing a purple shirt with a yellow 'C' logo speaks to children on a sports field, headset around his head and whistle on a neck strap.
Lacrosse player in a purple jersey (#120) sprinting on a green field with a white helmet and gloves, during a game.
Quarterback in a purple uniform throws a football during practice on a grassy field, with a coach watching in the background.
Football player in a purple jersey runs with the ball on a grassy field, white helmet, as a teammate presses ahead nearby.
Young quarterback in a black uniform runs with the ball as a maroon-clad defender dives to tackle him on a sunny football field.
Young football player in a red uniform and helmet reaches to catch a spiraling football on a grassy field.
A football player in a black uniform leaps to catch a pass as a defender in red reaches out, on a grassy field with trees and a scoreboard in the background.
Youth football player in a blue jersey labeled 'SYCAMORE' running with the ball during a game on a grassy field, helmet and gloves on guide the way.
Two football players sprint for a thrown ball on a grass field; one in a black Rebels shirt reaches to catch as a defender in maroon follows behind.

Kayden Pledger started at quarterback last season and was expected to be one of Montgomery County’s top passers entering 2026. Instead, Clarksville is searching for a new starter after Pledger’s departure, and Tuesday night’s 7-on-7 offered an early glimpse at the competition.

The Wildcats rotated senior Nate Parada and sophomore Harrison Smith throughout the evening, and both impressed.

Parada, last year’s starting linebacker, has emerged as one of Clarksville’s most intriguing storylines entering the season. The 5-foot-7 senior is balancing his responsibilities as one of the Wildcats’ defensive leaders while competing for the starting quarterback job.

“Playing both linebacker and quarterback is kind of tiring sometimes, but I’ve got a good team behind me. We’ve got another good quarterback who can come in and give me some relief,” Parada told Clarksville Now. “I actually played quarterback in middle school, so the transition really hasn’t been as hard as you might think.”

Smith, the younger brother of former Wildcat Dawson Smith, provides a different look. The sophomore has the prototypical quarterback frame and flashed plenty of arm talent, making several throws that suggest he’s ahead of schedule despite his age.

The competition has remained friendly throughout the summer.

“He’s only a sophomore, so he’s still got a lot of development ahead of him, but I think we’ve got a great relationship,” Parada said. “I’m not mad that he’s getting reps, and he’s not mad that I get reps. We’re just having fun and playing our game.”

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Whether one quarterback separates himself or the Wildcats continue using both, head coach Isaac Shelby expects each player to contribute well beyond the offense.

“They’re both great football players. They’ll both play offense and defense. They both play special teams. They’re both great teammates. They’re just tough kids,” Shelby said. “They’re not the biggest guys in the world, they’re not the fastest guys in the world, but they’re just tough and they’re good football players.”

Montgomery Central and West Creek

Quarterback in a red jersey and helmet throws a football on a grassy field during practice, with bleachers and a purple paw banner in the background.
Clarksville High School 7-on-7 on July 7, 2026. (Knox Rives)

Clarksville wasn’t the only team to leave the evening with positives.

Montgomery Central used the event to continue preparing for its Week 1 opener against Sycamore, one of the same teams it faced Tuesday. While the Indians got an early look at a familiar opponent, head coach Wyatt Page said the focus remains on his own team’s development.

“Well, it’s 7-on-7, so there’s some things you can take from a game plan standpoint, but it’s not real football. I actually was at Sycamore before I came here, so they’re very familiar. We played them in Week 1 last year, but we’re really just focused on us right now and perfecting our craft and the details as far as our first step, our keys and all those things,” Page told Clarksville Now.

West Creek also turned in a solid performance, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, giving the Coyotes another building block as preseason practices continue.

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