CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High School enters the 2023-24 football season coming off a postseason appearance last year.
The Eagles compiled a record of 5-6 before ending their season in the first round of the playoffs against Munford High School. As a new season kicks off, Northeast High looks to return to postseason play, but under new head coach Sam Lipsey.
After serving as an Eagles assistant for over five seasons, Lipsey was promoted in April to lead the Northeast football program. This week, Clarksville Now sat down with Lipsey to talk about what’s next.
2023-24 season
He said one of the biggest transitions to the head coaching position he had to make was time management.
“As a position coach, you have more time to work with one group of kids and getting those guys better,” Lipsey said. “As a head coach, you have more perspective, and you have to look at the team as a whole.
“You have to really manage your time as a head coach, and make sure that you aren’t wasting any time. That means being quick between each drill and making sure everyone has a sense of urgency, that falls on me as the head coach. I’m starting to realize that my role is making sure practice quality is at a maximum.”
He described his players as hard workers who want to get better, and they are coachable. While his team is young, they remain hungry to get on the field.
“It’s really been feeding our competitive nature,” Lipsey said. “It really is a blessing to have such a talented group of kids, and the fact that their young gives me some time with them moving forward. As a young coach in myself, it really helps our program grow to have these players in place for years to come.”
He said he expects his team to play fast and tough.
“These kids really want it,” Lipsey said. “They want to win, and they’re willing to pay the price and put their bodies on the line. As a young team, all I can ask from them is to give me everything they’ve got and to be as tough as possible.”
He also said the depth at running back and linebacker has impressed him throughout the off-season. Lipsey said he expects a lot of players to play both sides of the ball, but with the depth that they do have, Lipsey feels they will be able to keep fresh legs on the field at all times.
Offensive and defensive expectations
Offensively, Northeast High will look to run the ball, and run the ball well. Lipsey’s expectation is for their running game to be centered on running between the tackles.
He said their offensive staff will look to keep opposing defenses off balance, and misdirection will be used to give his players a chance to get into open space.
As for the defensive side of the ball, Lipsey said his team is young and undersized at certain positions. The coach will look to use his team’s speed to play to their advantage. The Northeast coaching staff will look to be aggressive on first and second down, with the hope of forcing third and long opportunities.
He expects them to improve every game, work together as a team, while building culture through hard work and grit. Lipsey hopes that after graduation, his student-athletes will have earned opportunities after high school to advance their careers.
The Eagles coaching staff is emphasizing the importance of being a quality student in classrooms, and how to carry themselves in the hallways.
What’s next
Northeast High football will begin their season when they travel to take on Green Hill High on Aug. 18.
According to Max Preps, here are the Eagles remaining opponents for the 2023-24 season:
- Away against Hendersonville on August 25.
- Home against Dickson County on September 1.
- Away against Kirkwood High on September 8.
- Away against Rossview High on September 15.
- Home against Henry County on September 22.
- Home against Kenwood High on September 29.
- Home against West Creek on October 6.
- Away against Northwest High on October 20.
- Away against Clarksville High on October 27.