CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview got off to a disappointing 0-4 start this season, but the Hawks still believed their best football was ahead of them. They looked much better Friday night, earning a much-needed 27-6 victory over West Creek.

To be fair to Rossview, the Hawks opened the season against a gauntlet of Springfield, Kirkwood, Clarksville and Hendersonville. Rossview lost each of those games last season but still made the playoffs. Head coach Stratie Young hopes for a similar fate this year.

“I love the fact that, again, our kids are just willing and ready to respond, you know, as we kind of move forward. I think we’re going to be okay,” Young told Clarksville Now. “All we have to do is continue to stack in our region and we’ll just see how things shake out at the end.”

Quarterback Dawson Deer’s development has been incredibly important to Rossview’s production over the past two seasons as a starter. He had been looking for a statement game this fall and found it against the Coyotes. Battling through an injury, Deer ran for two touchdowns, threw for another and did not throw an interception.

If Deer can continue to produce at that level under center, the Hawks should be in good hands down the stretch.

“Once they get those big runs, the defense starts keying on them and allows me to run away more,” Deer said. “I know I can run, and just getting to the outside and getting that explosive play, it feels amazing.”

Rossview’s rushing attack was excellent against the Coyotes. Chris Hercules and C.J. Stuckey both had productive nights out of the backfield, while Deer’s quarterback runs helped open up the offense.

West Creek had moments throughout the game, but the results continue to lag behind. It was arguably the most complete game the Coyotes have played all season, but the loss still leaves them searching for answers at 0-5.

West Creek head coach Michael Booker called it the most disappointing loss he has experienced with the program. “I think this one hurt the most since I’ve been here just because I thought that we could come in here and get a win tonight,” Booker said. “I’ll evaluate myself. Then I’ll evaluate the team and then the coaches.”

With a 1-1 record in region 5-6A, Friday night’s victory felt like a clean slate for Rossview. If the Hawks can continue to put things together, they could put themselves in position to replicate last season’s run to the playoffs.

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