Top Clarksville-area football games Week 11: Kirkwood and West Creek face off for playoff spot
Week 11 of the TSSAA high school football season is upon us, and while four Clarksville-area teams have already clinched playoff spots, four more teams have the chance to clinch on the regular season's final night.
Here are the top Clarksville-area games to watch, along with predictions.
Game of the week
Kirkwood (5-4, 3-3 Region 7-6A) at West Creek (3-6, 3-3)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
One of these teams will leave Peachers Mill Road Friday night rueing the end of their season. The other will need to get ready for next Friday night's trip to Germantown. While the third-ranked, undefeated Red Devils will be the toughest opponent either Kirkwood or West Creek have faced all season, just getting to the postseason would be a feat in itself for the Cobras, a first-year program, and the Coyotes, who have gotten there just once in 14 seasons.
When West Creek has looked its best, it's done so because of a hard-hitting defense led by linebacker Kingston Leon (89 tackles) and offense led by running back Jaisaun Ousley. Kirkwood put up points with its spread offense early in the season, but Josiah Claybrooks' 33 carries for 265 yards and three touchdowns powered the Cobras to last Friday's 29-20 win over Kenwood.
Prediction: West Creek 21, Kirkwood 18
Clarksville Academy (1-8, 0-4 DII-A Middle Region) at Mt. Juliet Christian (3-6, 0-4)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Historically, Clarksville Academy has had little trouble with Mt. Juliet Christian. The Cougars have won all four games they've played against the Saints, winning by an average of six touchdowns, including victories in 2021 and 2022. They'll need a similar result this Friday to qualify for the playoffs. The winner of this game earns the No. 5 seed in the Middle Region and will face the No. 2 seed in the Middle in the first round.
Clarksville Academy might have found an answer at quarterback in Ethan Bones, who's gone 31-for-50 for 302 yards and rushed for 64 yards on 15 carries over the Cougars' last two games. On defense, CA will have to slow MJCA freshman running back Zachery Cartwright (785 yards, seven touchdowns).
Prediction: Clarksville Academy 20, Mt. Juliet Christian 13
Houston County (4-5, 2-2 Region 6-1A) at McEwen (3-6, 2-2)
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
From 2017 to 2022, Houston County/McEwen was a non-region matchup and the season opener for both teams. Now, it's the final game of the regular season and will decide which team earns the region's No. 3 seed and which team falls to No. 4. The No. 3 seed figures to draw Collinwood (5-3) for the first round, while the No. 4 seed will have to face third-ranked Moore County (9-0).
Houston County has won three of its last four games, and McEwen is on a two-game winning streak. The Irish's lone loss since September 15 came 56-7 to McKenzie, while the Warriors played McKenzie within 23 points. On the flip side, Houston County lost by just one touchdown to West Carroll, which beat McEwen 40-7.
Prediction: McEwen 23, Houston County 21
Northeast (1-8, 1-5 Region 7-6A) at Clarksville (9-0, 6-0)
When: 7 p.m., Friday
Clarksville beat Rossview, 28-7, last Friday to wrap up its first region championship since 2007. As a result, the sixth-ranked Wildcats are guaranteed to be at home for the first two rounds of the playoffs. The biggest priority for them against Northeast is to stay healthy before their first-round battle — likely against Bartlett or Collierville, both of whom have spent time in the top 10 this season.
The Eagles can breathe a sigh of relief after last Friday's 30-24 win over Northwest, which allowed them to avoid their first winless season in 16 years. Shermarion Hudson and Tristian Doss led a rushing attack that rolled up 300 yards on 28 carries.
Prediction: Clarksville 49, Northeast 7
Sycamore (2-7, 1-2 Region 6-3A) at Stewart County (0-9, 0-3)
When: 7 p.m., Thursday
Stewart County would have clinched a playoff spot with a win over Cheatham County last Friday, but instead lost 56-7. That result gave the Cubs (3-6, 1-3) a playoff spot of their own. However, the Rebels have a second opportunity to earn a postseason berth, against a War Eagle team hoping to do the same.
If Sycamore wins, it will be the No. 3 seed and Cheatham County would be the No. 4. However, a Stewart County win would result in all three teams being tied at 1-3 in Region 6-3A. Cheatham County would have the most overall wins and earn the No. 3 seed as a result. The tiebreaker would then revert to head-to-head, meaning the Rebels would earn the No. 4 seed at Sycamore's expense.
They'll be hard-pressed to do so, though. Sycamore beat Cheatham County 41-15 on Oct. 6 and sophomore Hicks Hunter has rushed for 1,441 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
Prediction: Sycamore 41, Stewart County 14
Last week's picks: 4-1 (.800)
Season picks: 38-7 (.844)
MORE: How Clarksville football's 2000 season laid the foundation for this season's unbeaten team
MORE: How new middle school football program could make Clarksville high schools more competitive
Friday's other Clarksville-area games
Northwest (0-9, 0-6 Region 7-6A) at Dickson County (5-4, 4-2), 7 p.m.
Rossview (6-3, 5-1 Region 7-6A) at Kenwood (2-7, 2-4), 7 p.m.
Webster County (5-4) at Fort Campbell (5-4), 7 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: TSSAA football predictions for Clarksville high school Week 11 games
