CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – West Creek High School has reached the Region 7 title game every year since flag football arrived in Clarksville four years ago. Led by a core of 12 seniors, the Coyotes survived a semifinal scare against Kirkwood on Tuesday night, escaping with a 12-2 win after a dramatic finish to keep their undefeated season alive.

Head coach Aaron King gave all the credit to the senior class that helped build the program into a perennial contender. “We’ve really built something special at West Creek. I couldn’t do it by myself,” King said.

“These seniors are so important to what we do and how we operate. They’ve helped build this thing from the ground up. Four straight years reaching this stage says a lot about the culture they’ve created.”

Highlights of West Creek vs. Kirkwood

Their fourth straight appearance in the title game did not come easily. Rainy conditions throughout the night made offense difficult for both sides against a fast and physical Kirkwood defense.

West Creek carried a slim 6-2 lead into the fourth quarter before the game reached its chaotic conclusion. After a penalty gave Kirkwood one untimed play from two yards out, the Cobras had a chance to steal the win on the final snap.

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Junior Zoe Thompson fired a pass toward Lillian Peacock in the end zone, but West Creek senior Irelynn Laurin stepped in front of it, securing the interception before returning it the length of the field for a game-sealing pick-six as time expired.

Laurin described the emotions of the moment afterward. “I thought we lost. I was crying, and then I saw the ball coming down. The girl didn’t fully close on it, so I just snatched it,” Laurin said. “I looked back afterward and realized how close they were. I was getting ready to dive, and then all of a sudden, the game was over. This is the best feeling ever.”

Heartbreaking end for Kirkwood High

For Kirkwood head coach Nick Percich, the ending was heartbreaking, but he remained proud of the fight his team showed after an earlier loss to West Creek this season.

“They wanted this, and they fought for it. They proved last time was not a good representation of what we do here. So I’m just proud as heck of these kids,” Percich said. “We only have one senior, so these kids are going to be back here.”

Now, West Creek finds itself in a familiar position: one win away from another region championship.

Although the Coyotes captured the title during the inaugural season of Clarksville flag football, runner-up finishes in each of the last two years have fueled the motivation of this senior group heading into Friday’s championship matchup against Dickson County.

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