Brian W. Rives
BRives@5starradio.com


CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – In what has become an annual marking of the start of high school football season in Montgomery County, this afternoon at First Baptist Church in downtown Clarksville, nine high school football coaches came together, during a joint meeting of the Kiwanis, Rotary, and Civitan club, to preview their teams and their season.

(to see the photo gallery CLICK HERE)

All Clarksville-Montgomery County public schools were represented, as well as the Clarksville Academy, and Fort Campbell High School.  After enjoying an incredible meal, the coaches each took turns stepping to the microphone and previewing their teams for the 2012 season.  Coach Todd Hood, from Clarksville Academy, started off the program, saying that this year’s edition of the Cougars can not be called young, but lack the on the field, in the game experience that one would consider to be a veteran team.

Clarksville High Wildcat head man Ken Busbee indicated to the crowd that this year’s edition of the Wildcats will be looking to reload on the offensive side of the ball, but his defense will be the strength of this team.

Fort Campbell Falcon head coach Shawn Berner has a senior class of only six young men, and is loaded with underclassman, especially sophomores.  Berner stated that making it through the tough early portion of the Falcons schedule would bode well for his team once they hit district play.  Kevin Goltra, who is now the head man at Kenwood, has the most experience coming back out of the Montgomery county schools, returning 13 starters, and a rushing attack that last year was top five in the State of Tennessee, and top 15 in the nation.

The newest “chief” at Montgomery Central, Jeff Tomlinson, talked about rebuilding the Indian’s program, and graduation last year almost cleared his roster.  Tomlinson talked about instilling discipline and determination, and with work, the wins could come in Cunningham.

Northeast head coach Isaac Shelby may have had the most attention, thanks to a roster with a top 100 national player, and several others that have captured the attention of college coaches.  But Shelby talked about maintaining focus for the full season, cutting down on the penalties that plagued his squad last season, and urged everyone in attendance to get out and support high school athletes all across the city.

The newest coach in attendance was Northwest’s Chris Austin, who has been on the job for a little less than two months.  Austin talked about building team chemistry, and relying on a starting quarterback who is returning from injury, and working with young men who are dedicated to the program of the Vikings.

Rossview head coach Ron Lambert became emotional at the beginning of his presentation, remember back to last year, when after the luncheon a year ago, he received a phone call that his wife and daughter had been in a severe traffic accident.  A year later, and with his family still on the mend, Lambert is excited about this season with the Hawks.

Rossview has a full competition going at several positions heading into the season, but the level of competition in practice is going to translate to success on the field.  West Creek head coach John Offutt, who for the last two seasons was at Northwest, moves over to take over a Coyotes program which is in its fourth season of existence, and under its fourth head coach.

Offutt joked that his team may be undersized, but it has speed, and he will use that to every advantage he can this season.



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