CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A group of 30 players huddled around Kirkwood defensive coordinator Zach Eaton in the film room Wednesday after practice. The Cobras were preparing for Friday’s matchup against Northeast, but the scene also reflected the respect Eaton has earned from his players over the last four years.
That respect extends beyond the defensive room, though. Kirkwood head coach Chad Watson has known Eaton for 11 years, dating back to when Eaton joined Clarksville Academy’s staff as a 22-year-old assistant while Watson served as defensive coordinator.
Now 33, Eaton has been alongside Watson at every step of the way since. From Northeast to Gallatin, and eventually back to Clarksville when Kirkwood opened, Eaton has remained Watson’s right-hand man.
“I’ve never coached football without being on the same staff as Coach Watson, so I don’t even know what that’s like,” Eaton told ClarksvilleNow. “He’s done a really good job of building his staff, and I’ve gotten to learn so much from a lot of people.”
Over those 11 years, Eaton has grown alongside Watson on the sideline, as his role continued to grow as well. But he’s also built a family of his own, getting married and becoming a father of two.
Kirkwood’s defensive success
Now in his fourth year as Kirkwood’s defensive coordinator, Eaton has helped lead Montgomery County’s best statistical defense in 2026. The Cobras have surrendered just seven points through their first three games, a start that has earned the attention of their head coach.
“I have zero input on the defense. I completely give that to Zach, so it’s all on him and the defensive guys over there,” Watson told ClarksvilleNow.
Senior linebacker Lloyd Lisenbee has seen that trust firsthand. Eaton gave him his first starting opportunity as a sophomore, and the two have remained close ever since.
“I’m really close with Coach Eaton. He gave me my chance to start my sophomore year, and we’ve been close ever since,” Lisenbee said. “He talks to me about defensive decisions, and we come up with schemes together. He just… I love that, man.”
Kirkwood’s defense wasn’t always this dominant. During the school’s first year, the Cobras recorded zero shutouts and gave up more than 30 points per game.
Donuts earned for shutout performances
After the team’s first shutout against Northwest in year 2 of the program, Eaton introduced a tradition that has stuck ever since: donuts for the defense whenever it keeps an opponent off the scoreboard.
The Cobras have already earned two Krispy Kreme trips this season. A third won’t come easily against a Northeast team averaging 35 points per game.
“We just got to come out physical, we got to communicate pre-snap,” Eaton said. “Hopefully, everything we’ve done throughout the week of film and practice, we take to the game.”
If the Cobras can record another shutout, Eaton won’t mind making another trip to the bank. “My bank account’s a little empty, but I’ll take it if we keep getting them,” he said.
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