CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Kirkwood High School celebrated the signing of two seniors, Xan Woods and Trevor Newell, as their first signees in program history.
Woods, a length cornerback, signed to Lindsey Wilson at the NAIA level. Newell signed to Murray State as a tight end/longsnapper, and he became the first Division 1 signee in Kirkwood history.
Kirkwood head coach Chad Watson was grateful to be able to send two athletes to college in their first year.
“It shows what our priorities are as a program,” said Watson “People gauge success in different ways, but one way our coaching staff is going to judge it is what opportunities were offered to our kids. We take a lot of pride in that.”
Watson said for a first-year program, it sets the example, not only on the field, but in the classroom too. Both Newell and Woods had over a 3.0 GPA through their high school careers.
“Having those two guys up there year one really helps us lay the foundation,” said Watson. “We always stress to our guys how important the classroom is, and it shows our younger guys you have to take care of the classroom if you want an opportunity to play at the next level.”
Kirkwood football went 5-5 under Watson in their first year, finishing fifth in the region, narrowly missing the playoffs. They’re the first Clarksville area school to finish .500 or better in their first year since Northwest in 1972, where they went 6-2-2.