Jeffres, Boudousquie key strong defense in Cats' win
HARRISON FLATS — Riding the strength of a dominating defensive performance, the Wampus Cats erased a 12-8 first quarter deficit and turned the tide to earn a 32-12 win over Kootenai in White Star League football on Friday night at Kootenai High School.
Bryant Moore hauled in a 65 yard pass from Wade Stevens to stake Clark Fork (4-2, 3-1 WSL) to an early 8-0 lead before the Warriors (3-2, 2-2 WSL) scored the next two touchdowns to lead 12-8 in the first quarter.
“We started off really well,” Kootenai coach Doug Napierala said. “In the second half, things went south on us, Clark Fork capitalized on a bad drive and a fumble. They grinded out the clock on us.”
Wade Stevens, Drew Hammack and Dakota West each scored touchdowns as the Cats reeled off 24 unanswered points to close out the game.
Spencer Jeffres drew constant double teams on the defensive line, but still managed three sacks and a big fumble recovery, and Hunter Boudousquie had what Clark Fork head coach Brian Arthun called his best game of the year with four sacks while setting a strong edge on the perimeter. The Cats didn’t give up a point in the final three quarters in a strong defensive effort.
“In the first half we gave up a couple of long touchdowns, but we made some adjustments and shut them out in the second half,” described Arthun, whose team kept the chains moving with some ground and pound in the second half. “We started to run it down their throat, controlled the line of scrimmage and ran the clock out.”
Clark Fork hosts White Star League power Deary next Friday, in a game that will have big playoff implications.
Clark Fork 8 8 16 0 — 32
Kootenai 12 0 0 0 — 12
CF — Bryant Moore 65 yard pass from Wade Stevens (Moore pass from Stevens).
Koot — Dylan Wright 60 pass from Hunter Whipple (pass failed).
Koot — Wright 50 pass from Whipple (pass failed).
CF — Stevens 2 run (Moore pass from Stevens).
CF — Drew Hammack 6 run (Moore pass from Stevens).
CF — Dakota West 30 run (Alex Wade pass from Stevens).