CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The No. 5-seeded Kirkwood Cobras team traveled to Kenwood High School to face the No. 4-seeded Knights in a win-or-go-home district quarterfinal flag football playoff game on Monday. The Cobras’ offense put up big numbers early, and Kenwood’s late comeback fell just short. Kirkwood advanced, winning 26-6, and ending Kenwood’s season.
Early on, the Cobras came out of the gates guns blazing. Despite a tipped interception on their first drive, the Cobras scored three times in the first half, courtesy of touchdowns from Emma Goode, Angelina Marreo and Alyssa Shumpe.
Kirkwood head coach Nick Perchich has been impressed with the growth he’s seen from his offense. “We lost to this team a few weeks ago, and to do that, it shows the growth of this team,” said Perchich. “Emma Goode has started to command the offense at the quarterback position, and gotten better as time passed. She’s a multi-sport athlete, so we don’t always get the time with her we need, but when we do, she’s locked into it.”
Kenwood wouldn’t go quietly, as Yazmine Pearson took an interception 80 yards to the house for her second interception of the day. But it was too little too late, and the Knights’ season came to a close. They have nothing to hang their heads about as they went from not winning a game a year ago to hosting a first-round playoff game.
“I told my girls at the beginning of the season, we’re going from nothing to something,” said Knights head coach Jayvion Walker. “We’ve grown tremendously throughout the year. These girls have so much heart and have overcome so much adversity. I wish we had a better outcome, but I know they’ll be hungry next year.”
As for Kirkwood, they’ve got a semifinal date next Monday with the undefeated West Creek Coyotes. It’s a challenge that the team is looking forward to, and a team that doesn’t want to go home.
“We’ve changed the style in which we do things, and our kids have bought in defensively,” said Perchich. “Our defensive coordinator Katlin Ward, has those girls balling. Those kids are not nervous, they want to face the best competition, and we’re excited for the challenge ahead.”
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