CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) High school football kicks off tonight, and is arguably the most exciting time of the year for high school sports.
There are several age old rivals in Montgomery County that go way back, but the biggest rivalry around is about to be played for only the 15th time, with the Warfield Shield on the line.
Tonight at 7 p.m., Rossview and Clarksville High will start their 2017 season off with a bang. The rivalry, which normally takes place around mid-season, has been circled on both teams’ calendars since the schedule came out. Rossview won the contest last year 42-7, but Clarksville High leads the series 9-5.
Rossview enters tonight’s contest under new head coach, Todd Hood. After serving as the head coach at Clarksville Academy the past seven years, Hood took Ron Lambert’s place as the Hawk’s leader. Hood’s roster at Rossview tops one hundred players, and one of those players is Gavin Price. The senior offensive guard knows what this game means to his team.
“I’ve been a RHS lineman since my freshman year and the battle for the shield has always been an exciting game. Winning the shield my senior year would set the tone for a successful season and hopefully shut down the doubters,” said Price. “Our team has worked hard to prepare and I know we have the win in us. I’m looking forward to this season and what we can do together as a team.”
Another staple on the Hawks is junior running back Fred Orr. One of the most explosive players in the city, Orr was only a few yards shy of a one thousand yard season a year ago, and is ready for the big stage tonight.
“Tonight’s game means a lot to me. I play every game and every snap like it’s my last, but most important I’ll have fun. The atmosphere this week has been a great,” Orr said. “We’ve prepared well at practice all week. We’ve studied film. Coach Hood tells us to play like we’re the best on field and play one play at a time, and the game will come to us. Overall it’s been a great week. I’ll be ready tonight, and Rossview will be 1-0 when it’s all said and done.”
One player who might have a different outcome in mind is senior slot receiver/safety Bobby Jackson. Jackson, who currently holds an Austin Peay offer and a Murray State offer, is one of the most versatile players around, and will be key on both sides of the ball if the Wildcats are to have some success.
“It’s Rossview week. The atmosphere has been really good. A lot of focus on the team during practice and this game means a lot to us,” Jackson said. “The game might not mean anything district wise, but it’s huge for the morale of the team and the key for how we’re going to come out in the season.”
One thing is for sure. One team is leaving with the shield and bragging rights for the next year.
Tune in to the Friday Night Blitz tonight at 6 on ESPN Clarksville 104.1 for local game analogy, including an interview with Rossview Head Coach Todd Hood. Scott Chase and Brian Rives will call the Rossview-Clarksville High game live right after that on 104.1.