CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – If there were any questions about Kirkwood’s offense taking a step back in 2026, those were put to rest Friday night. The Cobras poured on 50 points in a 50-0 rout of West Creek.

There had been plenty of speculation heading into the week 1 matchup. Could Kirkwood pick up where it left off after earning the program’s first playoff win last season? Could West Creek’s size translate to success on the road?

The former quickly became a concern for the Coyotes as the opening kickoff was returned past midfield by all-area wide receiver Jadon Portis.

It looked like the Cobras had scored on the first play from scrimmage when Miles Reding found former Coyote Xzavier Metcalf, but the touchdown was called back for holding. Although Kirkwood put up 50 points, the penalties were one of the few areas that left head coach Chad Watson wanting more.

“I felt like we had a lot of explosives, but we had a lot of explosives called back, too, for holding, so we got to work on our hand placement with the O-line,” Watson told Clarksville Now.

Reding still found a way into the end zone, tossing a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jayven Norris for what would be the first of four touchdowns on the night. While Kirkwood’s offense got off to a hot start, the Cobras would need a strong defensive performance to win decisively.

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On the defense’s first series, the Cobras got to West Creek quarterback Jose Gutierrez-Arroyo on nearly every snap, forcing a quick three-and-out. The pressure was so aggressive that West Creek head coach Michael Booker made a change at quarterback.

“I just wanted to keep my QB1 safe. I wanted to make sure he’s good, have him healthy for the year. The biggest thing is his health and his safety,” Booker said. “They’re a well-coached team. They have a lot of good athletes, and we’re a well-coached team. We got a lot of good athletes too, but we just got to put it together.”

Portis takes over with punt return touchdown

Portis once again made a play that broke the game open, returning a punt from Coyote punter Kaleb Wilcox for a touchdown. It seemed like the right move would be to let the punt go as it bounced up toward the senior, but Portis said he wanted to make a play.

“To be honest, at first, I was hesitant, but it was just a moment. I wanted to score; it’s my senior year. I want to go rock out,” Portis said. It looked like Friday night’s player of the game had another punt return touchdown in the second half, but the score was called back because of a penalty.

Still, Portis’ explosiveness, Reding’s ability to find the open man and a running back group that looks ready to compete left a positive impression on the Cobras coaching staff.

“Who we’re playing does not dictate our effort and the approach we take into the game. We wanted to treat tonight like we’re trying to prepare for a region championship,” Watson said. “I thought our kids and our coaches prepared like it was the biggest game of the year.”

Now with a decisive 1-0 record, the Cobras turn their attention to next Friday. They’ll face rival Rossview in the annual “Hate on Exit 8” matchup. West Creek will host Northeast High School as both teams are coming off losses to begin their 2026-27 seasons.

Game scoring Summary

  • K – Reding to Norris 45-yard TD (10:30). Marsh XP.
  • K– Jadon Portis punt return TD (8:42). Marsh XP.
  • K – Montrell Perry 62-yard TD run (5:29). Marsh XP.
  • K – Miles Reding 60-yard TD run (2:16). Marsh XP.
    • Second quarter
  • K – Reding to Elijah Hurd 67-yard TD (10:07). Marsh XP.
    • Third quarter
  • K – Miles Reding 1-yard TD run (5:13). Marsh XP.
    • Fourth quarter
  • K – Peyton Smith 12-yard TD run (6:01). 2pt Conversion.

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