Four Clarksville teams on the rise heading into Week 1

George Robinson
Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle

With summer scrimmages and last week's jamborees in the rearview mirror, the high school season is coming into view.

Here are four Clarksville teams whose stock is rising after last week.

Northeast

The Eagles looked most impressive during last Friday's TOA Football Jamboree. Playing without leading rusher and top playmaker Gus Antoine, Northeast didn't miss a beat as Quinton Cross diced up Montgomery Central's defense, including a 62-yard touchdown run. The Eagles put up 26 points in two quarters of play.

Northeast quarterback Heath Williams throws the ball to a teammate against Montgomery Central during their jamboree on Aug. 11, 2017.

Quarterback Heath Williams also proved why his coaches rave about how strong his arm is. Williams can fit the ball anywhere he wants. Consistency will be the key for he and his teammates.

Rossview

Rossview has depth and it has talent. It also has Isaiah Phillips and Fred Orr who commanded most of the plays during the first of their two quarters against Kenwood.

Although the Hawks will face 6A opponents like Mt. Juliet, Wilson Central and Hendersonville when their region schedule kicks in, They proved last week they can move the ball on anyone.

Rossview's Isaiah Phillips hand the ball off to Fred Orr during their jamboree game against Kenwood last week at Austin Peay.

"We just have to keep perfecting on what we do and quit hurting ourselves," Rossview coach Todd Hood said. "In our last two scrimmages, that's been an issue. But I do feel we can move the ball against anybody."

It wouldn't be too far-fetched to suggest both Phillips and Orr could run for 1,000 yards this season.

"Offensively, we're still learning," Hood said. "We had two fumbles Friday after long drives but we've been talking about eliminating turnovers. Our ball carriers have been walking the halls at school with the ball all day. We're stressing what's important."

Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell took only 28 players to the Trousdale County Jamboree last week so it may be too early to tell the kind of season the Falcons will have.

Head coach Josh Robins has his work cut out for him with little depth while trying to rebuild a proud program but he liked what he saw last Friday night.

Fort Campbell forced three turnovers with two interceptions and a fumble while running back Denoris Buchanan had three rushing touchdowns in the Falcons' 19-0 win over Cannon County.

"I thought we looked pretty good but we still have to get better with our technique. But the effort was there across the board."

Clarksville High

The Wildcats struggled against Class 6A Mt. Juliet during its final srimmage of the summer two weeks ago. But Clarksville seemed to redeem itself against one of the best teams in 5A football in Kentucky, Christian County, last week in the jamboree.

Clarksville High's Josh Watch tries to avoid the tackle of a Christian County (Ky.) defender during their TOA Football Jamboree game Friday at Austin Peay in Clarksville.

Although CHS failed to produce points, its defense held Kentucky's No. 2-ranked Colonels to just seven points in two quarters with a linebacker group that made plays behind its defensive line.

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.