CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – By all accounts, 2025 was a success for Kenwood High School football. Following a 6-5 campaign that included a playoff berth, the Knights are looking to use last season as a building block.

Kenwood head coach Jarhett Snead is entering his 10th year on the Knights’ staff and fifth as head coach. With that experience at the helm, he wants to instill in his team that they shouldn’t be satisfied with last season’s accomplishments.

Jarhett Snead during Kenwood football practice on July 16, 2026 (Nick Arvin)

“We’re not satisfied with just having one winning record or making the playoffs one time. We want to sustain it and build some consistency,” Snead told Clarksville Now. “Our goal is still the playoffs. The guys got a taste of that last year, and they’re hungry for it again.”

With a senior class of just 10 players, duplicating last season’s success won’t be easy. However, there’s still plenty of talent throughout the roster. Defensively, there shouldn’t be much of a drop-off for a Knights team that posted three shutouts in 2025. Defensive back Jay’Quain Pappillion, a Region 7-5A nominee last season, will lead the unit alongside fellow seniors AJ Sutfin and Brian Howard.

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Offense is where the biggest questions begin for Kenwood. The Knights have been fortunate at quarterback the past few seasons with the duo of Jakoby Cox and Christian James. With both having graduated over the last two years, Snead will be searching for a new leader under center. Sophomores DeeJay Fisk and Myrion Hartwell are the leading candidates, but Kenwood’s offensive identity remains uncertain.

“We just want to see who’s going to take ownership,” Snead said. “Show me; we talk a good game but show me. I want to see who wants it.”

Depth won’t be a strength for the Knights, making it crucial for younger players to step into larger roles. Sophomore Malahki Sutfin could be an X-factor as both an edge rusher and tight end. If he takes a significant step forward alongside the senior class, Kenwood’s margin for error could be greater than expected.

Clarksville Now player to watch: Brian Howard

Kenwood featured one of the toughest Player to Watch selections because of the amount of talent on its defense. However, Brian Howard’s versatility made him impossible to overlook. Howard plays what the coaching staff calls the “rover” position, serving as a hybrid linebacker and safety.

“It’s just practice. Every day I come in and get that work in, in the weight room, running laps, even after practice. I stay late, work on the weekends. Day in and day out, we’ve just got to keep working every day we can,” Howard said.

Howard will be one of the Knights’ premier playmakers, combining his ability to defend the pass with his effectiveness as a pass rusher. With Kenwood searching for offensive production, don’t be surprised if Howard also makes an impact at receiver. If he continues building on a strong 2025 season, the senior could emerge as one of Montgomery County’s most versatile players.

Clarksville Now record prediction: Kenwood 5-5

Brian Howard during Kenwood vs Northeast High School on Oct. 9, 2025. (Hannah Walker)

It’ll be difficult for Kenwood to improve on last season’s record, especially with uncertainty surrounding the offense. However, the Knights’ defensive stars should keep them in contention for a playoff game in 2026. The biggest factor will be the development of the young quarterbacks, but if Fisk or Hartwell can take care of the football, Kenwood won’t need to score many points to win games.

The expectation is to build on last season, and although a 5-5 prediction doesn’t reflect improvement in the standings, another .500 season paired with continued player development would still represent progress. Kenwood remains in good hands under Snead, and if young talent develops quickly, 2026 could accelerate the program’s transition into its next era.

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