CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – West Creek quarterback Kayden Pace locked up the Clarksville Now Player of the Week honors this past week for his performance against Whites Creek High.

The Coyotes traveled into opposing territory and conquered the Cobras on their home field. West Creek dominated in every phase enroute to their 34-0 shutout. The win brought the team’s overall record to 3-6 on the season.

The Coyotes’ offense was led by Kayden Pace under center. Pace finished the game completing 8 out of his 12 pass attempts for 136 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. The senior quarterback’s accuracy and execution was a game changer for West Creek. He averaged 17 yards per pass attempt.

“I went into the game wanting to lead my team to a win like any other game,” said Pace. “We started off the game strong with a pass to Pettis and Montel’s big run. My mindset throughout the game was to take what the defense gives me.”

2022-23 season

Pace has had quite an accomplished senior season. The senior quarterback played in nine games for the Coyotes, and he’s completed 67 out of his 134 pass attempts (50%).

According to West Creek Head Coach Robert Gallowitz, those completions led the quarterback to throw for 806 passing yards and 9 passing touchdowns.

Pace is also a natural athlete. The quarterback has displayed his ability to move the chains with his legs when needed. During the 2022-23 season, he has rushed 44 times for a total of 222 rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown.

“This season meant a lot to so we could change what people think about the West Creek football team,” Pace told Clarksville Now. “Since Coach Gallowitz got the job as head coach, he’s been preaching about changing the culture, so it was mainly about showing a difference and turning around the program”

Coaches corner

“As a first-year head coach, it was nice to know that we had a player in place at the QB position that could keep us in games and put us in positions to win,” said Gallowitz. “Kayden has been a foundational piece for turning this program around and being able to compete within 6A. He shows up to work every day in practice and is an example to the younger guys of what it takes to prepare each week to have success on Friday nights.

“Kayden has the ability to do so many things well. He has accounted for over 1,000 yards of offensive and 10 TDs this year and that kind of production is hard to replace. There have been times where you believe a play is dead and somehow with his feet, arm, and/or vision makes something out of nothing. It has been a lot of fun to coach him the last few years and to watch him progress.”

West Creek’s last game of the season is a home game against Hendersonville High (4-5). The Coyotes will look to finish their season on a high note, and possibly gain some momentum heading into the off-season. The game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 28 with kickoff beginning at 7 p.m.

Honorable mention

Several other players had great weeks on the football field. Here are some that merit special mention:

  • Fort Campbell running back Keyshawn Dixon: 22 carries for 142 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. (Dixon has previously been Player of the Week.)
  • Clarksville Academy inside linebacker Zach Darnell: 11 tackles throughout the Cougars past game.
  • Clarksville High quarterback Davin Garinger: 9 carries for 60 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns and four completions for 59 yards passing.
  • Clarksville High running back James Dalrymple: 4 carries for 75 rushing yards and 1 touchdown.
  • Rossview High quarterback JT Sims: 12 carries for 50 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 9 completions for 104 passing yards and 1 passing touchdown.

Player of the Week