PREP FOOTBALL: Clark Fork stuns Wallace with 42-8 homecoming win

CLARK FORK — Head coach Patrick Young couldn’t really have asked for a better result as the Wampus Cats got the better of Wallace on Friday night with a commanding 42-8 victory in front of a large homecoming crowd.

“We started off the game slow offensively but were able to get our first score with a pick-six in the second quarter and the momentum started building,” Young said. “Then we spread the ball to all of our weapons and played a good football game.”

It was junior Evrett Montgomery who was able to haul in the interception for the Wampus Cats, making it his sixth of the season. On offense, the Clark Fork rising star also caught four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown to complete another huge game.

Seniors Dillon Ryan-Downing, Cole Mintken, Ethan Howard, Chase Sanroman and Jackson Clemens also had great performances Friday night.

Ryan-Downing had six carries for 71 yards and two touchdowns; Mintken had six touches for 65 rushing yards and a touchdown; Sanroman posted 59 total yards, including a 39-yard receiving touchdown and two, two-point conversions; Clemens, who Young said was also all over the field on defense making plays from sideline to sideline, had 46 total yards — 21 rushing and 25 receiving. Putting it all together was quarterback Ethan Howard who recorded seven completions for 151 yards and two touchdown passes.

On defense, Mintken and fellow senior Seth Caven combined for two turnovers and 10 tackles for losses. Caven recovered a fumble and had 4 tackles for a loss; Mintken also recovered a fumble and recorded six tackles in the Wallace backfield.

“Cole Mintken and Seth Caven were monsters on the defensive line,” Young said. “We’re beginning to play our best football at the right time of the year. This one feels good.”

Clark Fork (3-3) will get another shot at defeating Lakeside on Friday, Oct. 20, at home.

This story will appear in the Tuesday, Oct. 17, print edition.