CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – After compiling a record of 5-5 during the 2023-24 high school football season, the Fort Campbell Falcons clinched their second consecutive playoff appearance, which the program hasn’t accomplished in over a decade.
The Falcons are led by head coach Henry Mitchell who took over the Fort Campbell football program before the start of the 2022-23 season. Mitchell told Clarksville Now that when he first accepted the head coaching position, he told the school’s administration he planned on bringing excellence back to Fort Campbell, which meant competing at the highest level.
“I want to put our name back in the conversation of winning district and state championships, while going out on a daily basis and playing Fort Campbell football,” Mitchell said.
In an interview with Clarksville Now, Mitchell admitted that he scheduled his team to play several opponents who were classified higher than the 2A level. The head coach did so to prepare his team for district play, as well as postseason play.
“With the exception of a couple of games, our team competed,” Mitchell said. “When we played those big teams, we competed which left no doubt in my mind this team can go out and be disciplined enough to win football games.”
After coming in second place in their district, Fort Campbell High is scheduled to take on the Murray High Tigers (6-4) who finished third place in their own district. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.
When asked about his message to his team going into the game, Mitchell had this to say: “At this point in the season, everyone is 0-0. Don’t take anything for granted, because it is win or go home. The message to our team is to go into the game on Thursday with a clear mindset.”