CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Antioch Bears traveled to Hilda J. Richardson Field for a battle for the region 5-6A title with the Clarksville High Wildcats. The Wildcat defense shut down the usually high-powered Antioch offense, and Jamarcus Watkins had four touchdowns on the ground to lead CHS to their third straight regular season region title, with a 25-14 win.

This is the first time in program history that Clarksville High has won three straight region titles.

Getting the scoring started early

After an opening drive punt from Clarksville, Antioch turned it over on downs, giving the Wildcats the ball inside their opponents 30-yard line, where Watkins took advantage, eventually scoring on a jet sweep from two yards out.

Four-star quarterback Andre Adams engineered a scoring drive in return, taking it in himself on a scramble to take an 8-6 lead, but that was all the scoring the Bears managed for an extended period of time in the game.

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Clarksville High answered right back on the next possession, with Watkins scoring on another jet sweep midway through the second quarter, then Ethan Dalrymple recovered the ensuing onside kick to swing momentum all the way to the Wildcats.

Touchdown hat-trick before the half

A few minutes later, Watkins once again scored on a jet sweep to complete the hat trick of touchdowns for the night. And the first half wasn’t even over yet.

“It felt so great,” Watkins told Clarksville Now. “We’ve been preparing for this all week, and we knew how big a game this was. We came out here and we did our thing. I could not be prouder of my team.”

The Wildcats held an 18-8 lead at halftime, and while that did give a nice feel to the homecoming court festivities, with how potent an offense the Bears had, the game was far from over.

However, the Wildcats continued to pressure Adams while only rushing three, and the four-star quarterback never had time to let plays develop. The third quarter came and went with no scoring, but Watkins put a bow on the contest with nine minutes left, scoring on a jet sweep from 45 yards out.

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“Defensively, we had a great plan and executed it,” said Wildcats head coach Isaac Shelby. “We’re tough to beat when we do that. Offensively, we just controlled the ball and kept their athletes on the sideline. Proud of our staff and proud of these kids.”

Antioch scored on the final play of the game, but it was far too little too late, and the Wildcats earned a third straight region title. CHS also extended their win streak to seven. The Wildcats have one game left against Cane Ridge, then it’s on to the next goal: making a run in the postseason.

“In 119 years to be the first to do it, it means we’re doing something right,” Shelby said. “Fundamentally, we’re putting teams out here that have a chance to win. It’s big to be the one seed, getting those home playoff games. We’re excited about it, but we’re going to take this thing one day and one game at a time from here on out.”

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