CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Montgomery Central (2-1) travels to take on Northwest (3-0) Friday, Sept. 13 in the game of the week.

The Vikings have gotten off to a fast start in 2019, routing their competition in three games to open up the season. Furnish believes that his team’s recent success can be attributed to playing well in two of the three phases of football.

“Defense has been our strongest advantage,” Furnish said. Our defense is built around team speed. Our kids may be out of position at times, but with their athletic ability they are able to make up for it. Our special teams have done very well also.”

The Indians will welcome back their leading rusher LaKendriez “Drez” Sanders after he was forced to miss last week’s road tilt against Portland. Montgomery Central head coach Jeff Tomlinson is excited for Sanders’ return, but did note that Noah Aldrich and Michael Payton have each done enough in his absence to earn more touches going forward.

“Yes, I certainly think that they have earned more carries,” Tomlinson answered. “They will help ease and take some of the pressure off of Drez.”

Northwest head coach Neil Furnish knows that the answer to stopping Central’s ground attack isn’t necessarily an easy one.

“That’s a very good question,” Furnish responded. “This is definitely the most physical team we will play up to this point. We must team tackle and get all 11 to the ball after reading their keys. It’s no secret Montgomery Central has a few weapons to carry the ball so you cannot just zero in on one player although 33 reminds me of a few backs I’ve coached and they were all special players.”

If Central wants to leave Northwest with a victory, they will have to contain one of the Vikings’ more prolific players in Laquaylin Nickelson.

“Our defense is going to have to swarm to the ball and eliminate the big play,” Tomlinson said. “Hopefully we can force them into some turnovers.”

Nickelson has been an instrumental piece of Northwest’s offense to this point in the season. Furnish discussed what it is that makes him such an effective ballcarrier.

“He is a very talented young man that is determined and does not mind to lower his shoulder,” Furnish said. “He also has a pretty good lead blocker in Taveris Albury.”

Tomlinson knows it will be a tall task Friday, but he believes his team is up for the challenge when it comes to taking down the undefeated Vikings.

“Northwest is a very good football team,” Tomlinson said. “We are going to have to play mistake free football and eliminate the big plays.”

Furnish said it would be big for his team to be able to pull out a win at home over a quality football team like Montgomery Central.

“I’m sure it would mean a lot to our players to keep winning and be 4-0,” Furnish said. 

Northwest (3-0) hosts Montgomery Central (2-1) Friday, Sept. 13.