Cats show life in loss to Kootenai

CLARK FORK — Clark Fork opened the game with its best drive of the season, but Kootenai had a potent answer in the form of Jake Hall and Hayden Kraack, who combined for six first half touchdowns to lead the Warriors to a 66-22 win over the Wampus Cats Friday night in Clark Fork.

The Wampus Cats (0-4, 0-4 NSL) opened the game with a passionate and methodical 99 yard drive, aided by strong running from Howard Katzenberg and Chaunce Nesbitt, ending with a 31 yard touchdown pass from Nate Nesbitt to freshman Axel Anderson for an 8-0 lead.

“Kootenai has been the bully of the North Star League for three years now, said Cats coach Brian Arthun. “We weren’t intimidated by them, got fired up and came out and went down the field.”

The Warriors (5-0) answered quickly when Hall scored the first of his four first half touchdowns on a 35 yard run, before scooping up a fumbled pitch on the next drive and scampering 65 yards to give his team a 14-8 lead after the first quarter.

Hayden Kraack would add two touchdown receptions, one off a brilliant play by quarterback Taylor Dodson, who scrambled around in the backfield eluding defenders before leaping to throw an eight yard strike.

Anderson caught his second touchdown of the game late in the first half, set up by a nice pitch and catch from Nate Nesbitt to older brother Chaunce Nesbitt, to bring the Cats to 40-16.

Steven Cook then returned the ensuing kickoff 87 yards on the final play of a high scoring first half.

Anderson hauled in a 50 yard touchdown for this third score of the game, giving the Cats a bright hope for the future.

“He and Nate have some chemistry built up,” said Arthun. “He’s one of those kids who works really hard, and he hasn’t been overwhelmed by playing at varsity.”

Kootenai would add two more scores and a safety to put the game away.

Clark Fork hosts Lakeside next Friday in a pivotal NSL game.

Kootenai    14   34   14   8 — 66

Clark Fork  8    8     6    0 — 22

CF — Axel Anderson 31 catch from Nate Nesbitt (Howard Katzenberg run)

Koot — Jake Hall 35 run (try failed)

Koot — Hall 65 run (Taylor Dodson run)

Koot — Hayden Kraack 8 catch from Dodson (try failed)

Koot — Hall 30 run (try failed)

Koot — Kraack 57 catch from Dodson (Hall run)

Koot — Hall 8 run (try failed)

CF — Anderson 7 catch from Nesbitt (Katzenberg run)

CF — Anderson 50 catch from Nesbitt (try failed)

Koot — Steven Cook 87 yard kick return (Greg Wallace run)

Koot — Wallace 3 catch from Dodson (try failed)

Koot — Kootenai safety

Koot — Cook 38 catch from Dodson (try failed)