CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 2023-24 high school football regular season concluded this past week, and three Clarksville-area teams from District 6A Region 7 clinched playoff berths.
The Clarksville Wildcats, Rossview Hawks and West Creek Coyotes were the three teams from the district that played their way into the postseason, and here is what’s to come for each.
Clarksville High Wildcats
Clarksville High has been one of the most consistent high school football teams in Middle Tennessee since head coach Isaac Shelby took control of the program.
This year marks the eighth time Clarksville High has made the playoffs with Shelby as head coach, which includes seven consecutive postseason appearances. However, statistics show that this year is unlike any other year in the program’s history.
Clarksville High earned the No. 1 overall seed in District 6A Region 7 after their first undefeated regular season since 1945, according to Shelby.
“This season has meant a lot,” Shelby told Clarksville Now. “The student-athletes set goals every year, and they always want to accomplish something that the previous teams before them didn’t. Going undefeated during the regular season hasn’t been done since 1945, so I’m really proud of them for pulling that part off.”
Clarksville High is scheduled to host the Collierville Dragons (7-3) during the opening round of the playoffs. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday night.
When asked about his message to his team going into the game, Shelby had this to say: “Its live or die at this point. Somebody’s going to go home and somebody’s going to get a chance to play one more time. We earned the right to play at home against a really quality opponent in Collierville. We’re going to have to go out and play some really good football to have a chance.”
Rossview High Hawks
Falling right behind Clarksville High in district standings is the Rossview Hawks. They placed second in District 6A Region 7 after compiling a record of 7-3, which included them going 6-1 against district opponents.
The Hawks had a slow start to the season after going 0-2 in their first two games. However, Rossview High football quickly turned it around and showcased their team’s true potential. After losing those first two games, they won six games in a row, in which they shutout five opponents.
Rossview High head coach Michael Hood told Clarksville Now this season has meant a lot to him because it’s always rewarding to see his players grow and have success. Hood added to his comments by saying his team has endued and overcome many things this season, and that’s due to team leaders taking over.
The Hawks are scheduled to host the Bartlett High Panthers (7-3) on Friday with kickoff set at 7 p.m. When asked about his message to his team going into tomorrow’s playoff game, Hood said the following: “Be physical, execute and eliminate penalties. If we can do those things, we will win the game. Barlett is very good football team and in these games the margin of error is slim.”
West Creek High Coyotes
The West Creek Coyotes are the third and final Clarksville-area team that fought their way into the postseason in District 6A Region 7. The Coyotes punched their ticket into the playoffs after defeating Kirkwood High in an overtime thriller last week.
With their win over the Cobras, West Creek finished the regular season with a record of 4-6, which included the team going 4-3 in the district. The Coyotes return to postseason action for the first time since 2010 as they look to make program history by winning their first-ever playoff game.
“This season has meant a lot to the kids,” said West Creek head coach Rob Gallowitz. “It’s great to see their hard work pay off, especially when we’ve worked eight months out of the year to be able to compete.”
Since West Creek High finished in fourth place in District 6A Region 7, they’ll be facing the Germantown Red Devils (10-0) who came in first place in their own district.
When asked about his message to his team going into the game, Gallowitz had this to say: “I want our team to be able to play fast and be able to compete. I’m sure all week they’ve heard the outsiders talk about how good Germantown is, but this team has a chance to do what every other team has been unable to do at West Creek and that’s to win a playoff game. Our expectation is we’ll try to play our game and see how we stack up against a really well coached team.”
West Creek and Germantown will face off on Friday night with kickoff set at 7 p.m.