NASHVILLE, TN – There have been a lot of question marks for the Wildcats entering the 2021 season, but a three touchdown performance by Rayshawn Bowling and a 21-6 victory have the Wildcats off to a great start.

Clarksville High School went on the road in week one and survived a slow start to beat McGavock. This was the first meeting with McGavock since a playoff game, which the ‘cats won, back in 2004.

The Wildcats would receive to start the game, but after a quick three-and-out the defense would take the field and hold strong against the Raiders forcing a punt after allowing only one first down.

On their next offensive possession, the Wildcats would drive in to the red zone, but would come up a yard short on 4th down to turn the ball over on downs. McGavock would take over deep in their own territory at the start of the 2nd quarter and find some success through the air; however, a pass out of bounds on 4th down would give CHS the ball back in striking distance.

Clarksville High would aim to capitalize on the field position they were given with a heavy dose of rushing by Junior, Jamar Carnell, Bowling, and Senior, Chris Bagatini. The formula worked well as the Wildcats pounded the rock until a lost fumble would end the drive prematurely.

Again the defense would have to rise to the occasion, and after another forced three-and-out, the offense would finally get that long awaited first score. Carnell would set the offense up well after two rushes that went for almost 30 yards combined before Bowling found the edge from 9 yards out putting the Wildcats on the board for the first time in 2021 with 3:45 remaining in the half. After a successful Andrew Irvin PAT, the Wildcats led 7-0.

McGavock took back over and after being stalled, they had a drive saving roughing the punter call. This led to a great catch and run on a short pass and capped off by a short score on the ground from the quarterback. The Raiders would try to go for a two-point conversion, but Bowling would come up big with an interception in the end zone.

The score would stand at 7-6 at the half, but the Wildcats would find their spark in the second half. On their first offensive possession, CHS would drive into the red zone and Bowling would find pay dirt for the second time on 3rd and goal from the three, increasing the lead to 14-6.

In the 4th quarter, Bowling would record his hat trick of touchdowns with a 21-yard touchdown run which gave the Wildcats their eventual 21-6 victory.

The Wildcats rushed for 351 yards as a team with Carnell carrying the weight of the workload with 24 carries for 175 yards. Bowling would go for 74 yards on 12 carries and all three scores. Bagatini led the defense with 7 total tackles with three other Wildcats finishing with 5 each. Junior, McLain Conway, recorded the lone sack for the Wildcats with Bowling hauling in an interception.

Clarksville High School will play in their home opener this Friday as they welcome Springfield to Hilda J. Richardson to renew one of the state’s oldest rivalries.