Clarksville Stuns Antioch, Wins Region (Recap/Top Performers)

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Many didn't see it coming but the home Wildcats had a game plan that worked to perfection in their 25-14 upset win over previously undefeated Antioch. This was the best performance of the year from Clarksville and a game that should give them confidence moving forward. </h2>     - One of the biggest surprises coming out of “Week Ten” was Clarksville ending an undefeated season by Antioch as the Wildcats owned the matchup on Friday night, beating the Bears, 25-8 and becoming region champions. This was the best performance of the season from Clarksville and maybe a sign that the Wildcats are forming into shape as we head into postseason play.    The Wildcats started early by taking the opening kickoff and establishing physical play in the line of scrimmage. The trenches proved to be a big difference maker in this game, however we will get back to that in a bit but after not scoring on their opening possessions, both teams woke up on their second drives.    Clarksville kicked the scoring off as senior two-way talent [player_tooltip player_id='1103508' first='Jamarcus' last='Watkins'] caught a short pass near the goal line and found a crease into the end zone to put the Wildcats up 6-0. Antioch immediately answered with a touchdown run from [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams']. The crazy thing about this moment in the game was that it was the road team's only lead in this matchup.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jamwatkins.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1345986" style="width:259px;height:auto" /></figure>   As the Bears took the lead, Clarksville wouldn't blink as they remained focused and methodically moved the ball down field to put themselves in position to score again. The Cats would accomplish their goal as Watkins found a crease in the Antioch defense to find paydirt and put Clarksville ahead, 12-8.    Holding a four point lead, the Wildcats defense was tasked with keeping an explosive Antioch in-check and indeed they did, not just in the 1st half but the entire game. The Bears attempted to go for it on 4th down but were stuffed by the Clarksville front seven. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='1922843' first='Dawson' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1979275' first='Max' last='Cunningham'] were absolute forces in this game and would continue to flash until the final whistle.    Right before halftime, Clarksville added another score as Watkins produced his third touchdown of the 1st half to put the Wildcats on top, 18-8. The first period of action consisted of Clarksville running the ball and keeping the Bears offense on the sidelines but when they were on the field, the Wildcats defense was suffocating and causing constant havoc against Adams and the Antioch offensive line.    You would think after time in the locker room that Antioch would come out with more energy and ready to compete but they remained asleep at the wheel to start the second period. We didn't have a lot of scoring in the second half but what we did have was continued stellar play by the Clarksville defense.    They were the story of the night to me. The Wildcats had a great game plan overall but their defense was outstanding. The Bears offensive line was exposed in this game as the Wildcats coaching staff put constant pressure on them, forcing Adams to scramble while rallying to the ball. Adams is a playmaker but the Cats defenders did a good job of keeping him in their sights and not allowing him to generate big gains with his legs.    <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/Photo-Oct-02-2025-4-12-12-PM-1-crop-1197x786-1759440184-crop-800x525-1759440750.jpg?w=799" alt="" class="wp-image-1925315" style="width:284px;height:auto" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Antioch quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='378901' first='Andre' last='Adams']. Taken by Austyn Day, Allday media</figcaption></figure>   As we entered the 4th quarter, the outcome was still in-flux but Clarksville was clearly the team in control. The Wildcats would gain upon their confidence as Watkins broke loose for a long run, where he found the end zone for the 4th time of the night to put the home team ahead, 25-8.    At this point, it was all Clarksville with a region title within their grasp. The Wildcats defense continued to cause problems for the Antioch offense as they just couldn't block the Clarksville front seven. Smith and Cunningham, along with a few others consistently got after Adams and made things difficult for the Mr. Football hopeful.    Antioch would put a late touchdown on the board to make things look a little more respectful but Clarksville would prevail, defeating the Bears 25-14. It was an impressive showing by the Wildcats and a game the program needed to show their relevance and upward trajectory towards becoming a team that can compete with the upper echelon.    This was a tough loss for the Bears as they let the region title slip out of their hands. It was also a game that exposed some weaknesses that must be addressed as Antioch moves into postseason play. Hopefully they get things fixed because the Bears have the quarterback and receiving talent to win in the playoffs but only if the offensive line works things out.    - - - - -    Player of the Game    Watkins proved to be the best playmaker on the field Friday night as he produced four offensive touchdowns, three by way of the ground and one through the air in his team's eleven point win over Antioch. This senior two-way prospect, who has a future in college at defensive back, was tough to handle with the ball in his hands as his speed and vision proved to be too much for the Bears defense. His scores were huge but his ability to pick up first downs and keep the Wildcats drives going was probably just as important.    - - - - -   Three Stars …….    This senior linebacker was an absolute force that could not be blocked with his activity and motor being a difference maker in the Cats region title win. Smith was geared into this game and never stopped attacking until the final whistle. On several occasions throughout the game, Smith made big play after big play, either making tackles in space to stall drives or chasing down Adams and stopping him short from picking up first downs. This was the best game of the year from Smith and one that helped his recruiting stock.    - - -    If it wasn't Smith getting after Adams in the backfield, it was Cunningham, who is a prospect that peaked my interest earlier this year but increased my interest in him after a stellar performance versus the Bears. This senior edge rusher had his best game of the year where he consistently got into the Antioch backfield and either sacked Adams or moved him off his spot. Cunningham has decent size to him (6'2 240) with some pass rushing upside that could be developed much further on the college level with continued work and body growth.    - - -    Even though Adams had a tough night overall when it came to help around him, the Bears junior quarterback still had a solid evening of action where he produced two offensive touchdowns, including one on the ground. Adams ran for his life most of the night but on occasions, he did a good job of keeping plays alive while finding the open receiver. The night didn't go well for his Bears team but Adams did display his athletic skill set that has college coaches enticed with his upside.    - - - - - - - -   Other Top Performers   (OL/DT) [player_tooltip player_id='1620795' first='Trevon' last='Bledsoe'] - Clarksville: Bledsoe played a big role in the Wildcats region title win Friday night as the beef in the middle of the line that moved people off the ball on a consistent basis. He was a key piece up front within the Cats rushing attack but also a space eater on defense that allowed his backers to get after Adams all night long.    ‘27 (LB) Nate Parada - Clarksville: The Wildcat linebackers had a big night versus Antioch, including Parada, who was a heat seeking missile that produced several violent hits in the win. This junior defender played in the Bears backfield all night long, making multiple big hits against Adams and the Antioch running backs. He also showed solid work in pass coverage as well.    ‘27 (DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1979576' first='Jabarie' last='Acree'] - Clarksville: Clarksville has one of the better secondary units in the Mid-TN region with this junior defender being a standout player in the Cats region win over Antioch. Acree had to step up and play a bigger role in this game and he performed very well. He did a good job of displaying strong man to man coverage along with the speed to keep track with the Bears talented wideouts.    ‘29 (WR/DB) [player_tooltip player_id='1617205' first='Aaden' last='Adams'] - Antioch: This freshman athlete has produced a strong debut season for the Bears and it continued on Friday night as Adams flashed big play abilities on several occasions. Adams became a go-to target into the second half but also contributed on defense as well. His stats won't show it but Adams returned a 98 yard fumble return for touchdown that was called back and almost produced an interception in the second half that might have provided momentum.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/10/clarksville1.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1979832" style="width:232px;height:auto" /></figure>