CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kirkwood High inside linebacker and tight end Trevor Newell has been selected as the Clarksville Now Player of the Week for his impressive debut as a Cobra on both sides of the ball.

During week one of the regular season and their first game in school history, the Cobras traveled to Sycamore High to take on the War Eagles.

From start to finish, each side fought for the upper hand, but in the end, Kirkwood High secured their first-ever win in double overtime 49-48.

Double OT

During the second overtime period, Sycamore High quickly scored a touchdown and kicked an extra point to lead by seven, according to Kirkwood High head coach Chad Watson.

After allowing the War Eagles to score, the Cobras were prepared to answer with a touchdown of their own, however, on second and goal, starting quarterback Lee Buggs came off the field with an injury.

Following the injury to Buggs, backup sophomore quarterback Ethan Chamberlain entered the game for his first snaps with third down looming. Before Kirkwood could get a play off, one of their players moved prematurely, sending the team back 5 yards. With the infraction, the Cobras faced third and goal from their opponent’s 13-yard line.

Watson said that after the penalty, the offense ran a fake jet sweep that opened up the middle of the field, and Chamberlain connected with Newell to catch a crucial touchdown pass.

With the score 48-47 and Sycamore leading, Kirkwood’s coaching staff decided to go for it: The Cobras sent Buggs back onto the field, and he threw a game winning 2-point conversion to Newell.

“Once coach called the play, I knew it was time to lock in and make a play,” Newell told Clarksville Now. “It was a very special moment during our first-ever game for Kirkwood High School. The emotions were crazy after the game, I even had random people come up to me and tell me they love me. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

Not only did Newell have the game winning touchdown catch and 2-point conversion, he also had eight tackles and one interception on defense.

Coaches corner

Watson told Clarksville Now the game was truly a rush of emotions. The head coach said that they were frustrated early on but credited his defense for keeping them in the ball game and his team for stepping up when the game was on the line.

“I think our youth may have been good for us because we may be too young to know any better,” Watson said. “That’s all I can really say, we do have a young group of kids, but they never quit and keep pushing.”

As for Newell, Watson said that his inside linebacker and tight end has remained consistent since arriving at spring practice. Watson added that Newell does everything the coaches ask him to do, and he’s extremely valuable to the Kirkwood Cobras.

Kirkwood High football has their eyes set on winning two straight as the team is scheduled to face inner-city opponent, the Montgomery Central Indians this Friday.

Honorable mention

Several other players had great weeks on the football field. Here are some that merit special mention:

  • Fort Campbell Wide Receiver Maurice Moore – 1 touchdown reception and a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.
  • Northwest Running Back Bricen Moore – 12 carries for 160 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
  • Northwest Wide Receiver and Cornerback Deonata Crawford – 7 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 interception, 1 pass break up and 129 all-purpose yards.
  • West Creek Inside Lineback Kingston Leon – 6 solo tackles with a goal line fumble recovery.