CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview High School football is entering a new era this fall. After eight years under the leadership of Todd Hood, the Hawks will be led by new head coach Stratie Young, who will navigate them through a new region in the biggest classification of football in the state of Tennessee.
“The transition has been quite a ride, but the kids have made it easier, buying into what we want to do with this program,” Young told Clarksville Now. “Our guys have grown so much this offseason and hold themselves accountable. We as coaches have not had to do a lot of discipline, because this is a player-led team, and they keep each other in check.”
Young is a defense-oriented coach, serving as the defensive coordinator for the Hawks the last two seasons. In that time, Rossview’s defense has allowed under 10 points per game and shows no signs of slowing down during the 2025-26 season. The Hawks defensive units is let by all-region linebacker Philip Shipstead.
Meanwhile, on offense, they’ll be led by junior quarterback Dawson Deer, and senior receiver Cole Crockett, who is expected to be the quarterback’s primary target after an all-region season.
“Our defense is expected to continue to do what we’ve done the last few years,” said Young. “We want to put our team in a position to keep points off the board and give our offense great field position to score. On the field, they should expect us to be efficient and hunt for those explosive plays.”
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It’s a unique situation for a first-year head coach to take over a program with recent success, as Rossview has made the playoffs the last two seasons. For Young, it’s about building on that success, and trying to take the next step to compete deeper into November and December.
“My advice that was given to me was just run with it,” said Young. “We’ve taken the things that were unique to our program and working and molded them with the things that are unique to me. The more authentic I can be to myself, that’s what is going to take this program to the next level, building on the success we’ve had. We’re going to be fast, physical, and focused, and everything else will take care of itself.”
2025-26 Clarksville football season previews
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- Kirkwood High looks to take next step in year three of program history
- Clarksville High aims to make deep postseason run in 2025-26
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