CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 2026 high school football season is finally here, and Montgomery County has plenty of storylines to follow in week one.

While only two games feature area teams facing one another, all 10 local programs will be tested across the Midstate. See where every team ranks entering the season and who we’re picking to win in the first-ever Clarksville Now game predictions.

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CNow Game of the Week: #8 West Creek Coyotes @ #1 Kirkwood Cobras

Week one’s Game of the Week is a ranked area matchup between #1 Kirkwood and #8 West Creek.

The Cobras won this game 42-0 last year, but the Coyotes are hungry to ensure that doesn’t happen again. After going 1-9 last season, this is a massive opportunity for West Creek to make a statement. The Coyotes will come out strong, but the Cobras will take care of business in the second half.

Clarksville Now’s pick: West Creek 10 – Kirkwood 38.

#2 Clarksville High Wildcats @ Blackman Blaze

This is the first leg of Clarksville High’s difficult non-region start to the season.

Blackman is consistently one of the toughest teams in the state and will pose an early challenge for this year’s Wildcat squad. Expect to see positive things from the #2-ranked Wildcats, but with a new quarterback and a young team, this isn’t one they’ll be favored to win.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Clarksville 7 – Blackman 20.

Stratford Spartans @ #3 Northeast Eagles

Northeast has an early opportunity to prove it has improved and is deserving of a #3 ranking.

The Eagles didn’t play Stratford last year, but added the game after Christian County left the schedule as Northeast’s opener. On paper, this seems like a favorable matchup. The Spartans went 3-7 last year, but let’s not forget the Eagles did too. Northeast’s offense should get the job done, but don’t expect a dominant performance.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Stratford 28 – Northeast 35.

Northeast football practice on July 30, 2026. (Knox Rives)

#4 Rossview Hawks @ Springfield Yellow Jackets

Last season, the Hawks put up a first-half fight but weren’t ready to take down the Yellow Jackets just yet. After hanging around early, Jermaine Cobbins and the Springfield offense took over, winning decisively 32-6.

This year, the Hawks are much more complete on both sides of the ball and should keep it closer. However, you can’t stop Cobbins, and Springfield has plenty of talent beyond the five-star junior.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Rossview 13 – Springfield 27.

Hillsboro Burros @ #5 Kenwood Knights

Kenwood’s offense has some unanswered questions going into week one of the regular season, which includes who will be the team’s starting quarterback. We’ll find out this week whether the starter will be DJ Fisk or Myrion Hartwell.

Both are young, and I expect that inexperience to show for the Knights. With that being said, the defense is still very talented, and it’s capable of winning low-scoring games, which is expected this week.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Hillsboro 6 – Kenwood 10.

Rossview High scrimmage against Kenwood High on August 7, 2026 (Knox Rives)

Sycamore War Eagles @ #6 Montgomery Central Indians

This is a massive opportunity for the Indians to prove a point in week one against head coach Wyatt Page’s former school, but the War Eagles are a good football team.

Montgomery Central kept it close last year, and I think we could see a similar result in 2026. The Indians will have a real chance to win this one, but I see them falling just short.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Sycamore 24 – Montgomery Central 21.

#7 Northwest Vikings vs. #9 Fort Campbell Falcons (@ Trigg County HS)

Both squads are looking for early-season optimism, and both see this one as a winnable game.

Although it shouldn’t be taken as gospel, Fort Campbell really struggled in its jamboree, and that doesn’t fare well for the Falcons after losing this one 53-13 last year. Northwest will start out hot before cooling down this year, while it may take the Falcons a couple of weeks to get up to speed.

Clarksville Now’s Pick: Northwest 42 – Fort Campbell 6.

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

#10 Clarksville Academy Cougars @ Hunters Lane Warriors

This is genuinely one of the toughest matchups to predict for week one of the regular season.

Clarksville Academy ran through Hunters Lane for a 42-0 win last season, while the Warriors went 0-10. However, Clarksville Academy only has 18 players on its entire roster, and many of them haven’t played much football. I’m going to pick against the Cougars, but they could certainly surprise me here.

Clarksville Now’s pick: Clarksville Academy 3 – Hunters Lane 17.

Clarksville Now Top 10

  1. Kirkwood Cobras
  2. Clarksville Wildcats
  3. Northeast Eagles
  4. Rossview Hawks
  5. Kenwood Knights
  6. Montgomery Central Indians
  7. Northwest Vikings
  8. West Creek Coyotes
  9. Fort Campbell Falcons
  10. Clarksville Academy Cougars

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