MURFREESBORO, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek Coyotes flag football team traveled to Murfreesboro for the TSSAA Flag Football State Championships this week.

They went 2-1 on Thursday, earning wins against Overton and Bearden before falling to Blackman and earning the number two seed in Pool C. They will now face Walker Valley to kick off bracket play on Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Game 1: West Creek vs. Nashville-Overton

Female goalkeeper in maroon jersey #2 leaps to catch a ball with gloved hand during an outdoor field game on a sunny day, with spectators and a blue tent in the background.
Female soccer goalie runs with ball during a match on a green field, hair flying, white jersey and black pants; goal net in background.
Bearded man in a maroon football shirt, black cap and sunglasses, arms crossed outdoors under a clear blue sky.
Female flag football player in a white jersey runs with the ball as a defender in maroon dives to tackle on a sunny field.
Three female flag football players leap for a spiraling ball during a game on a sunny field, with a goal net in the background, one in maroon and two in white jerseys with red flags visible.
Female flag football player running with the ball on a grassy field, red flags visible at hips, referee in background.
Four female lacrosse players in maroon West Creek jerseys walk arm-in-arm on a sunny green field, numbers 4, 7, 2, and 21 visible.
Two female flag football players jump to reach a football near the end-zone pylon as spectators watch in the background.
Flag football players duel for the ball: a player in maroon jersey with pink flags throws or passes while an opponent in white defends nearby on a grassy field.
Two female flag football players leap for the ball near the goal line, one in maroon and one in white.
Two young female flag football players sprint on a grassy field; one in a white jersey with number 3 reaches for the ball while the other in maroon dives with red flags trailing behind her.

In game one against Nashville-Overton, the “Cardiac Coyotes” pulled off another last-second win. The two teams were tied 12-12 at the half, thanks to a one-handed snag from West Creek receiver Nicole Cushenberry for a touchdown in the first quarter, and a QB keeper from Lewiana Merriweather in the second quarter being the only Coyote scores. 

The Coyote defense, despite an interception that set Overton up inside the 10-yard line, pitched a shutout in the second half. Cushenberry connected with Merriweather on a trick play with a minute and a half remaining to put West Creek up 7. Yes, you’re reading that right, the quarterback was the one who pulled down the game-winning touchdown. An interception from safety Irelynn Laurin sealed the deal, and the Coyotes started their state championship stay off with their first win at states in program history.

“We don’t run that play often, but it normally always works,” said Merriweather. “I saw Nicole put the ball up, and I just went and got it. Winning a game at state makes me really proud of our team, knowing that this is the first year we’ve been this far.

Game 2: West Creek vs. Bearden

Female football player in maroon uniform, number 35, mid-throw on a sunny field with tents and spectators in the background
Girl flag football player in a maroon Bearden jersey (#4) sprints with the ball on a sunny field, defender nearby.
Flag football player in a white jersey leaps to catch a football with pink gloves on a sunny field, referee nearby
Young girls playing flag football on a sunny field; player in white #21 reaches for the ball while another defender in maroon grasps for it nearby.
Female lacrosse player in maroon jersey #3 runs with the ball on a sunny field, wearing a mouthguard and gloves.
Two girls play flag football on a sunny field: a player in white lunges to catch the ball while a defender in maroon chases nearby, pink flag belts visible to show flags.
Female rugby player in a maroon uniform sprinting on a grassy field while holding a rugby ball under her arm.
West Creek player #2 in white carries the lacrosse ball and sprints down the field while maroon-clad defenders chase nearby on a sunny day.
Female rugby player in a maroon uniform runs with the ball, wearing a blue mouthguard, on a grassy field with spectators in the background.

In game two against Bearden, the Coyotes dominated from start to finish, staying undefeated in pool play. Merriweather started the scoring at the end of the first quarter with a touchdown on a scramble, and Laurin mossed a defender on the first play of the second quarter for another touchdown, giving the Coyotes an early 13-0 lead. 

Despite a late first-half touchdown from Bearden, West Creek stormed out of the half with a length-of-the-field drive capped off by a Merriweather touchdown. On the next Bearden possession, MJ Anthony intercepted a pass and took it to the house for the Coyotes’ first defensive touchdown of the game. Cushenberry put the cherry on top with a touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, and the Coyotes stayed unscathed before their final game of pool play.

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“In our first game we knew we didn’t play our best, and the girls knew that,” said Coyotes head coach Aaron King. “We just executed the game plan better, and it worked out for us in our favor. We found some weaknesses and went right at them. Really proud of our girls, 2-0 is great, but we’ve got a lot more football to go.”

Game 3: West Creek vs. Blackman

In the final game of the day for the Coyotes, fatigue played a role against a high-powered Blackman team. The Coyotes had not played more than one game in a day, and on their third contest, the wear and tear showed, with Blackman breaking big play after big play in a 37-12 win. West Creek was handed its first loss of the year, and now looks to bounce back with their season on the line tomorrow. The Coyotes will have to win three games in a row to win it all.

“When you play a good team, you can’t make simple mistakes; it was a team loss for everybody,” said King. “At the end of the day, if that was going to happen, thankful it was tonight. These girls showed today that they can compete with anybody. We just have to come out and do what we gotta do. These girls are mentally tough and will be ready for Friday.”

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