Wampus Cats earn emotional win

PLUMMER — An emotional and spirited Clark Fork team honored a couple of teammates with a convincing 70-36 drubbing of Lakeside in North Star League football action on Friday night in Plummer.

Playing without teammates Axel and Eich Anderson, whose father recently passed away, the Wampus Cats came out brimming with emotion, eager to win the game for their teammates.

“It was an emotional win for us,” said Cats head coach Brian Arthun. “We dedicated the game to the family, and the guys came out and fought to win the game for Eich and Axel.”

Joey Hazinsky rushed for two touchdowns and Zack Klein ran for one and threw a 45 yard pass to Nyk Jones to stake the Wampus Cats to a 28-24 lead at half time. The Knights (0-4, 0-2 NSL) scored first in the second half to take a brief lead, before the Cats (3-3, 2-2 NSL) blew things open with six straight touchdowns.

Klein ran for another touchdown, before finding Brandan Bowen on a 37 yard scoring strike. Hazinsky then returned a fumble 45 yards for a score, followed by a Zach Nesbitt pick six interception as the Cats’ defense scored back-to-back touchdowns.

“We came out a little too pumped up, and in the second half our defense clamped down and played a lot more solid,” said Arthun. “Offensively, we were clicking, and Zack (Klein) played a heck of a game, running and throwing the ball really well.”

Nyk Jones scored on runs of 21 and 59 yards to give him three touchdowns on the game, helping keep the Cats’ playoff chances alive.

“The game brought everybody closer together,” described Arthun. “They played for each other and for the Anderson brothers, and it was neat to see them come together.”

Clark Fork travels to Mullan for a big game on Thursday, and a win will set up a pivotal home finale against Kootenai, with playoff implications on the line.

Kickoff for Thursday’s game is slated for 3:30 p.m. at Mullan High School.

Clark Fork  14  14  30  12 — 70

Lakeside      8   16   6   6 — 36

LS — Matt Stengar 35 pass from Jonathon Nomee (Gauthier run)

CF — Joey Hazinsky 4 run (run good)

CF — Zack Klein 2 run (run failed)

CF — Hazinsky 2 run (run failed)

LS — Stensgar 55 pass from Nomee (Kohler pass from Nomee)

CF — Nyk Jones 45 yard pass from Klein (run failed)

LS — Stengar 64 pass from Nomee (Flemming pass from Nomee)

LS — Hunter Kohler 4 pass from Nomee (run failed)

CF — Klein 2 run (run good)

CF — Brandan Bowen 37 yard pass from Klein (pass good)

CF — Hazinsky 45 fumble return (run failed)

CF — Zach Nesbitt19 interception return (run good)

CF — Jones 21 run (run failed)

CF — Jones 59 run (run failed)

LS — Scotz 20 run (run failed)