CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High hosted Clarksville High in an inner city matchup during week 6 of the 2022-23 high school football season.
The game played out as a tale of two halves. The Wildcats dominated the first half in every phase of the game. They shut the Eagles out and scored 47 points after two quarters of action.
Northeast did not stop competing, however. The Eagles ended up pitching a shutout in the second half themselves, but were only able to score 30 points by the end of the game. There wasn’t enough time for a comeback, and the final score ended up being 47-30 in favor of CHS.
Clarksville High’s dominant first half performance was built around a couple of different factors, the first being their offensive rushing attack.
The Wildcats ran all over the Eagles through the first half of action. The team was led by running back Jamar Carnell, who scored four touchdowns on the night.
Clarksville High also controlled the first two quarters of action due to their ability to force takeaways on defense and special teams.
Before the game had reached halftime, the Wildcats had successfully recovered two onside kicks, forced a fumble and intercepted the ball twice. One of those interceptions happened to be a 30 yard pick six by cornerback Isaiah Soto.
The interception return for a touchdown was the last score before the half for the Wildcats. After the halftime buzzer sounded, Clarksville High went into the half with a 47-0 lead over Northeast.
Halftime
Northeast Head Coach Claude Townsend had described his group as a second half team following their comeback win against Rossview High.
This was evident once again, because the Eagles stayed competitive and energetic coming out of the locker room. It’s important to note that Clarksville High subbed their first string players out of the game as the second half began.
Nevertheless, Northeast found a rhythm not only on offense, but on defense as well. The Eagles scored on their first possession of the new half after a 10 play, 76 yard drive.
The momentum continued the build their following defensive possession. Clarksville High threw a redzone interception to give the ball back to Northeast in their own territory.
With the ball on their own 11 yard line, Eagles quarterback Jaiden Puig stepped back in the pocket on first down and delivered a jump ball at midfield. Northeast wide receiver Walter Gooch went on to moss the cornerback in coverage, and took the reception 89 yards for a touchdown.
Puig and the Eagles offense scored two additional touchdowns before time expired and the game concluded with Clarksville High winning by a score of 47-30.
Coaches’ corner
Following the win, Clarksville High Head Coach Isaac Shelby spoke on his team’s ability to execute during the first half of play. He detailed that the offensive unit did everything they were supposed to do. As for his defense, he credited the overall game plan for their first half shutout.
Shelby mentioned that he should have left his first string players in the game longer than he did, but wanted to give other players opportunities at that point in the game.
The Wildcats (3-3) are scheduled to face Hendersonville at home this upcoming week. As for Northeast (3-3), they will look to bounce back against inner city rival Northwest High.