CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek Coyotes hosted the Commandos of Hendersonville on Friday in the final week of football’s regular season.
Although West Creek had already been eliminated from playoff contention, the boys from Peachers Mill went out with a bang on Senior Night. They toppled the Commandos, 30-21, claiming their first ever win in the 6A classification.
Hendersonville looked to use their size advantage in the trenches to run over the Coyotes, earning a big gain on the ground early. The Commandos punched in a touchdown, but the hosts responded soon after. Senior quarterback Kayden Pace had a huge gain on a scramble, then scrambled again a couple plays later for a touchdown to even things up at 7-7.
West Creek’s defense rebounded quickly, pressuring the Hendersonville quarterback and forcing two consecutive punts. On the second one, a block by West Creek set the Coyotes up on Hendersonville’s 25-yard line. With about 30 seconds left in the quarter, Pace delivered a touchdown pass and put the hosts up, 14-7.
2nd quarter
The second period was a little quieter at first, but West Creek eventually came knocking on the door once again. Unfortunately, a high snap didn’t help their red zone drive, and they settled for a field goal. Charles Woodworth kicked in his first of three on the night, putting West Creek up, 17-7.
Hendersonville’s next punt set up Javion Jefferson for a big return all the way to the Commandos’ 18-yard line. Pace soon connected with Nate Lucas for a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Down by 17 late in the half, the Commandos reached into their bag of tricks and pulled out a successful fake punt play with 39 seconds remaining. West Creek’s defense was having none of it, though, and Nate Conley recovered a fumble to secure the big halftime lead.
3rd quarter
Hendersonville’s ground game looked strong again in the early parts of the second half as they ran one in for a touchdown with 7:15 left in the third. The Commandos now trailed 24-14. On the visitors’ next possession, however, the Coyotes defense came up big with a stop on 4th and 2.
West Creek also had a strong quarter on the ground, primarily through Montell Richardson. At the end of the period, they were back in the red zone, looking to score once more.
Woodworth kicked in his second field goal to finish West Creek’s drive from the previous quarter. Hendersonville’s next drive was an interesting one.Their touchdown was called back by a penalty, but another (very close) call by the referees helped them when the officials ruled that their quarterback made an incomplete pass rather than a fumble.
Nevertheless, the Commandos found themselves on 3rd and 43, so it seemed a foregone conclusion that they wouldn’t score. Then West Creek was hit with a roughing the passer penalty and gave up an automatic first down. Hendersonville capitalized with a touchdown, closing the gap to only six points.
Unfazed, West Creek struck right back. Tyhja Pettis’ kickoff return went all the way to the 21 yard line of Hendersonville. A few runs by West Creek and a facemask call against Hendersonville set Woodworth up for his third and final field goal, which put the game out of reach for the Commandos. The junior kicker’s nine points off field goals were the difference in the game.
West Creek went on to take the ball back on downs, then assume the victory formation and celebrate their 30-21 win on senior night.
Coaches corner
Although the game had no playoff implications for West Creek, coach Rob Gallowitz stressed that it still had meaning. “It did have implications for how we take on next season, and I believe this is the first win they have had on senior night in the last four years, so that’s a big accomplishment.
“I think you always want to end the season, regardless of what happens, on a win. And especially against a really good opponent in 6A in Hendersonville. I think that was a huge momentum boost going into the off-season and preparing for next year.”
Gallowitz reflected on the strengths of his senior class, saying, “The older guys have shown the younger guys how to stay in games. I think when you watched West Creek football, people would get up a score or two, and all of a sudden you’d see the team fall apart, whereas this year we’ve been in every single game outside of one.
“We’ve competed at a very high level, and we’ve kept games close going into the fourth quarter, and that’s been our goal all year, just to be able to compete in the fourth quarter and have a chance to win. I think we’ve been able to show the young guys, this is how you win the right way, this is how you compete.”
Gallowitz added, “This senior group is a really special group. It’s been a lot of fun coaching them, and it’s sad to see them go. But I think they’re going to be doing a lot of fun things coming up here in the future.”