Wampus Cats drop Tigers in six-man shootout

CLARK FORK — Football fields are wide open enough in eight-man football, but take away two players, and there is a lot of real estate out on the gridiron.

So it came as little surprise to see nearly 120 points scored, as the Wampus Cats took down Mullan 72-46 in North Star League six-man football on Saturday night at Homecoming in Clark Fork.

Dakota West carried 10 times for 132 yard and four touchdowns for lead the Wampus Cats (3-2, 2-1 NSL), while Drew Hammack added 121 yards on nine carries and freshman Josh Constantine 99 yards on just five totes.

Clark Fork head coach Brian Arthun said it was an adjustment to play just six on six.

“First six man I’ve ever seen. In Montana they play on an 80 yard by 40 yard field,” said Arthun, whose team played on a regular 100 yard field. “Once they hit the hole and break a tackle, they’re gone.”

Wade Stevens finished 6-10, for 101 yard and two touchdowns through the air, Bryan Moore added 81 yards receiving and 6-4, 260 pound lineman Spencer Jeffres lived every lineman’s dream by catching a 10 yard touchdown catch on a center eligible play.

“On fourth down and 10 on the goal line, I called his number,” said Arthun of Jeffres. “We had him snap the ball and run up the middle on a skinny post. It was hilarious. He had the biggest smile on his face. It was a big win for our Homecoming. The younger kids got some valuable experience.”

The Tigers (0-3) were able to generate some offense, outscoring the Cats 24-16 in the second half, as freshman Skye Galloway scored on touchdown runs of 55 and 40 yards, and also on a touchdown catch of 60 yards.

Clark Fork is at Kootenai on Friday in a big North Star League clash.

Mullan 8 14 8 16 — 46

Clark Fork 28 30 16 0 — 72

CF — Dakota West 10 run (Hammack run)

CF — Bryant Moore 33 catch from Wade Stevens (try failed)

CF — West 13 run (try failed)

CF — Drew Hammack 7 run (Moore catch)

Mul — Skye Gallaway 40 run (try good)

CF — West 36 run (Hammack run)

CF — Kobie Banks 10 run (Hammack run)

CF — West 11 interception return

Mul — Gallaway 60 catch from Gryphon Todd (conversion failed)

CF — Spencer Jeffres 10 catch from Stevens (Stevens run)

Mul — Sheldon Trogden 45 catch from Todd (conversion good)

CF — West 56 run (Hammack run)

Mul — Galloway 55 run (try good)

CF — Constantine 41 run (try failed)

Mul — Trogden 45 catch from Todd (try good)

Mul — Trogden 50 catch from Todd (try good)