Bowen, Nesbitt shine as Cats fall to Knights
CLARK FORK — Brandan Bowen scored on a couple of long touchdowns to lead Clark Fork, but the passing connection of Lakeside quarterback Charlie Zahir and running back Doug Schatz was simply too much, as the Knights posted a 44-34 win over the Wampus Cats in a North Star League battle on Friday night in Clark Fork.
Bowen scored on a 65 yard run and also returned a punt 70 yards for a score, and quarterback Zach Nesbitt rushed for three scores to lead the Cats (1-3, 1-2 NSL) in a back and forth affair.
Lakeside (1-4) picked up its first win on the strength of Zahir and Schatz, who connected on scoring strikes of 56, 18, 61, and 53 yards to lead the offense. Brandon Gauthier also scored twice for the Knights.
“We had trouble picking up Schatz out of the backfield, we just didn’t match up with him,” said Cats coach Brian Arthun. “We had seven turnovers, and that’s tough to win any ball game.”
Bowen’s punt return late in the game closed the gap 38-34, before Schatz’s fifth score of the night iced the game. Arthun praised the hard running of Bowen and the play of his two defensive ends in the loss.
“I thought Brandan ran the ball physical and downhill more than he had in the previous three games,” said Arthun. “Wyatt Stevens and Ben Bahr both played really well defensively. They were in the backfield all game. Unfortunately we gave up that long pass to them, and we ran out of time.”
Clark Fork hosts Mullan next Thursday night.
Lakeside 12 14 8 12 — 44
Clark Fork 14 8 0 12 — 34
Lak — Doug Schatz 1 run (run failed)
CF — Brandan Bowen 65 run (pass failed)
CF — Zach Nesbitt 2 run (Nesbitt run)
Lak — Schatz 56 catch from Charlie Zahir (run failed)
Lak — Schatz 18 catch from Zahir (Zahir to Schatz)
Lak — Schatz 61 catch from Zahir (run failed)
CF — Nesbitt 2 run (Bowen run)
Lak — Brandon Gauthier 11 catch from Zahir (run failed)
CF — Nesbitt 6 run (pass failed)
Lak — Gauthier 50 run (run failed)
CF — Bowen 70 punt return (pass failed)
Lak — Schatz 53 catch from Zahir (run failed)