CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Montgomery Central’s hot start has been one of the best stories of the football season so far. On Saturday afternoon, the story got even better for the Indians as they improved to 4-0 with a 47-34 win over Northwest High (2-2).

Northwest was set to be one of the biggest tests the Indians had faced up to this point in the year. They’d had to wait a little longer to prove they were capable of beating a team of the Vikings’ caliber as the matchup was pushed to Saturday due to Friday’s storms.

Although the circumstances were uncertain, Montgomery Central head coach Wyatt Page said it didn’t phase his team.

“Our motto to our guys was, ‘It doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t matter where it’s at. Spot the ball, let’s play football.’ We’re going to compete until there’s zero on the clock, and then more if that’s what it takes,” Page told ClarksvilleNow.

A 4-0 start is a major turnaround for Montgomery Central. This was set to be a pivotal season for Page after a combined 3-17 record through his first two seasons at the helm. This year, the Indians have already surpassed that win total, and they don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon.

‘It’s been two years of setting the culture through leadership’

The success isn’t random. Page says Montgomery Central’s ability to win games stems from the culture that has been built over the past two years.

“This isn’t something that just happened this offseason. It’s really been two years of hard work and labor that’s gotten us to this point,” Page said. “It’s been two years of setting the culture through leadership, through young guys stepping up, through leadership councils in the offseason.”

Laban’s 4 touchdown performance

A strong running game has been the key to victory all season long, and it certainly was on Saturday. Senior running back Malosi Laban scored four touchdowns on the ground, all before halftime.

Junior Darius Howard has also broken out as the lightning to Laban’s thunder, breaking off an 86-yard touchdown run to break the game open.

‘The whole game, all the way to the end, they kept fighting’

Northwest ultimately couldn’t keep up with the lethal Indians rushing attack, but Vikings head coach Mark Hall was still proud of his team’s fight.

“They show some toughness. We’re a very young team, and at times that shows. We just have to keep getting better,” Hall said. “I’m proud of them. They fought hard. The whole game, all the way to the end, they kept fighting.”

What’s next for both sides

Montgomery Central aced the test on Saturday and continues to roll. With the next four opponents on the schedule holding a combined 4-12 record, more wins could be on the horizon for the Indians.

If Page and the Indians can continue to rely on their dominant rushing attack, this team has the makings of a historic season in Cunningham.

As for Northwest, now at 2-2, they’ll host Dickson County for their next game on Sept. 18.

Patrick Smith contributed to this report

| SPORTS REPORT: Sign up for the new weekly Clarksville sports newsletter