CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Find your green shirt because Northwest football is almost back. The Vikings are looking to restore hope to Viking Village after a disappointing 2-8 campaign in 2025.

After injuries to several key players derailed last season’s attempt to rejuvenate the program, Northwest head coach Mark Hall believes this year’s team has reason for optimism. “We’re going to be fun to watch,” Hall told Clarksville Now. “They’re enjoying each other, they’re bonding really well together. I think that’s one of the biggest things that’s advanced from last year.”

Although the 2025 season ended in disappointment, it was far from an outlier for a program still working its way back. Hall enters his third season after inheriting a team that went 0-10 in 2023. If the Vikings can turn things around this fall, Northwest would earn its first winning season in a decade.

More balanced offensive attack in 2026-27

Hall’s optimism is fueled by a talented group of offensive playmakers. Seniors Garrett Garton and Tyler Couey have impressed enough in the passing game that the Vikings are shifting away from their traditional run-first identity. Rather than leaning heavily on the ground attack, Northwest hopes to feature a more balanced offense this season.

“Me and my offensive coordinators have talked multiple times. We want to try to be 50-50 as possible,” Hall said. “We’ve got a great group of quarterbacks that can throw the ball, and we’ve got some receivers that can catch it well. It’s going to be exciting to see what those guys can do as a unit.”

A major key to making that vision a reality is the quarterback position. Last season, Jackson Hazel showed promise before suffering a torn ACL midway through the year. With Hazel no longer with the program, the Vikings will hand the offense to junior Trevere Lawless.

Defensively, the secondary looks to be Northwest’s biggest strength. Tristan Rees returns after recording six interceptions as a freshman, while freshman Will Davis has already emerged as a player to watch for years to come in Montgomery County. Add junior Jaik Fowler to the mix, and the Vikings could field one of the area’s better pass defenses.

The biggest questions come in the front seven. While players like Couey have the athleticism to create pressure, many of Northwest’s top athletes are expected to contribute primarily on offense. With only six seniors and a roster of roughly 50 players, depth remains a significant concern.

Clarksville Now player to watch: Garrett Garton

Garton is one of Northwest’s most dangerous offensive weapons and enters his senior season poised for a breakout year after dealing with inconsistent quarterback play in 2025.

A polished route runner, Garton has the ability to create separation against some of the area’s top defensive backs. If he develops chemistry with Lawless, he could be one of Montgomery County’s most productive receivers.

“Me and Trevere have been getting some work in together. I think the chemistry is pretty much there. We’ve got the timing down; the routes look good. Trevere has one heck of an arm. He can really sling it, and he’s really athletic,” Garton said.

Receiver production often depends on quarterback play, making Lawless’ development critical to Garton’s success. Garton has also expressed interest in contributing defensively.

For now, he appears set to focus on offense, but if that changes, he has the athleticism to become another playmaker on an already talented Northwest defense.

Northwest football practice on July 29, 2026. (Patrick Smith)

Clarksville Now record prediction: Northwest 2-8

Vibes around Northwest feel like something out of a ’90s sports movie. The Vikings have struggled for a long time, but this is a team that genuinely enjoys playing together and believes it can change the program’s trajectory.

Unfortunately, this isn’t Hollywood, and I don’t foresee a Mighty Ducks-style turnaround this season. Without a doubt, Northwest will be Montgomery County’s feel-good team, but translating that belief into wins will be easier said than done.

The Vikings will have early-season opportunities to prove me wrong, but region play will be a difficult climb. Kenwood should be solid, Northeast is poised to take a step forward, and Kirkwood and Henry County are on another level entering the season.

Northwest doesn’t have a culture problem, it has a numbers problem. With only around 50 players on the roster, the Vikings simply won’t have much margin for error against deeper teams.

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