CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Northwest football hosts Kenwood Friday, September 20 for their homecoming game, as the Vikings clash with the Knights in this Game of the Week.
Kenwood head coach Les Greer has been involved with many rivalry games in the past, but is excited to see what makes Kenwood versus Northwest particularly special.
“Been involved with several rivalries before,” Greer said. “Games like these are a little more personal to the players. They’ve grown up with each other. Played football together before to some extent. It makes for a fun atmosphere at practice all week.”
Northwest suffered a heartbreaker last week at home against Montgomery Central, falling to the Indians late 14-7. Northwest head coach Neil Furnish said it’s been difficult for his team when it comes to putting the loss behind them, but he’s liked what he’s seen from his group in recent days.
“It was a very tough loss for our kids,” Furnish said. “With that being said we had our best offensive practice of the year Tuesday, so the morale of the team seems to be very high and focused.”
Kenwood’s defense has allowed an average of 53 points-per-game in the last three contests albeit against some high-powered offenses. Greer discussed how his defense can right the ship, beginning this week with Northwest.
“Defensively we must play assignment football,” Greer said. “It starts up front with our box players. Everyone has to do their job. We must be physical at the point of attack and everyone run to the ball.”
Furnish understands it’ll take a total team effort by his team Friday to cap off homecoming week with a win.
“Kenwood has played a very tough schedule to date and that is no secret,” Furnish said. “There is nothing that we will do that they have not seen or haven’t already been tested with. This is a rivalry game, so the emotions will be high and if we can take care of the ball and play as a unit, we will give ourselves a chance.”
The Knights will welcome back one of the more explosive players in the entire Clarksville area Friday in Kavarius Moody, after their star wideout missed last game with an ankle injury.
Moody was on his way to a career day two weeks ago versus Northeast, but came down awkwardly in the back of the end zone late in the first half and was forced to sit out the rest of the contest.
“Kenwood, along with all the teams in Clarksville have many great athletes, so every week is a challenge around the city,” Furnish said. “We hope to match the athletic abilities of Kenwood, as well as use our athletes to our advantage in many areas.”
The Vikings were tested last week for four quarters against Montgomery Central. Furnish believes his group had a few positive takeaways from last week’s performance and can make good use out of them this coming Friday.
“Last Friday’s game is exactly what our team needed,” Furnish said. “We left a lot of big-play opportunities on the field that could have changed the complexion of the game, but with that being said our players never quit and never let the previous play affect them. This group of young men are growing every day and it will show as our competition continues to get tougher.”
If the Knights want to rain on the Vikings’ homecoming, they will need to eliminate the threat of big plays by limiting Northwest’s dynamic duo of Laqualin Nicholson and Robert Baker.
“We have to execute and protect the football on offense,” Greer said. “Force them to defend the entire field at a fast pace with our no-huddle attack. Defensively, we have to stop the run and get off the field on third down. We must win special teams and take the opportunity to make a big play on a return when the situation presents itself. Rivalry games are fun. We want our guys to play smart, tough, disciplined football and have fun.”
Northwest (3-1, 1-0) hosts Kenwood (1-3, 1-0) Friday, Sept. 20.
“This one is pretty neat due to all of the connections from family to family and player to player,” Furnish said. “We have coaches on staff that played at Kenwood as well as coached at Kenwood and players that have family members on each side playing against each other. So needless to say, this is a pretty cool game to be a part of.”