CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville football travels to take on Northwest Thursday, Oct. 24 in search of its third consecutive win. After capturing back-to-back victories for the first time this season, the Wildcats are beginning to get hot at the right time.
The Vikings on the other hand, have dropped their last five games after starting out the season with a 3-0 record.
Despite Northwest’s recent woes, Clarksville football coach Isaac Shelby isn’t overlooking the Vikings by any means.
“We do not think any game is a trap game for us,” Shelby said. “We go through the same preparation process each week. The opponent is not a factor in that.”
During its current five-game skid, the Northwest defense has battled but the offense has struggled to find the end zone. After having a week off due to Fall Break, Northwest football coach Neil Furnish expects his players to be rejuvenated and ready to go.
“My hope is that our kids are a little healthier and able to perform for four quarters,” Furnish said. “We get Robert Baker back this week which is a huge part to our game plan every week. Hopefully we can get our playmakers the ball and allow them to use their abilities this week. As long as our kids stay with the plan and be the best they can individually be, then I believe we can do great things this week.”
Up front on offense, the Wildcats have size and cohesiveness that can give any opposing defense nightmares.
“Clarksville has a massive O-line that plays together,” Furnish said. “They also have complimentary skill kids that do exactly what they’re coached to do. Coach Shelby has a system that he has run for many years that continues to develop these young men.”
Clarksville has been able to successfully utilize a two-quarterback system for most of the year. Despite a bit of a contrast stylistically, Garinger and Cook each find ways to get it done under center for CHS.
“Both quarterbacks bring a different style of play to our offense while both are very effective quarterbacks,” Shelby said. “The commonality of the two is that they are both great kids and are happy for each other’s successes no matter the situation. Their attitudes are a credit to their parents and a good team culture.”
Wildcat receiver Quantae Hicks had four catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns last week in Clarksville’s win over Kenwood. Shelby discussed what makes him such an explosive talent.
“Quantae works really hard and had a great offseason,” Shelby said. “He has worked hard since January on becoming more confident as a receiver. We think he is having an outstanding senior season so far.”
For Furnish, year one as Northwest head coach hasn’t exactly gone quite how he envisioned.
“The adversity of losing 19 key varsity players due to transfer, injury or quitting in one year has had a huge impact on the success in the win and loss column,” Furnish said. “The culture of our program is changing, but the change is going to be longer than I expected. We are developing these young men to never give up and to prepare as champions. Our main goal will always be to finish better than we started.”
The Vikings close out the season with two of the stronger teams in the region. Furnished shared the most important thing he hopes to see from his players during the final home stretch.
“I want to see our young men finish what they started and believe in themselves,” Furnish said. “The game of football teaches many things and the most important to me is to never give up the fight or a belief in oneself until the last whistle is blown.”
As the Wildcats’ season winds down and lets up, Shelby isn’t slightly worried about his group becoming complacent.
“Our seniors understand what the playoffs are now that they have been there two consecutive years,” Shelby said. “They know what that environment is like and they know they want to be a part of it. It is a committed group that knows as long as you get in the playoffs, anything can happen so getting their undivided attention is not a problem.”
Northwest (3-5, 1-3) hosts Clarksville (4-4, 2-2) at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in a Region 7-5A contest.