PREP FOOTBALL: Clark Fork falls just shy of Mullan/St. Regis in 8-man instant classic
Clark Fork's Chase Sanroman avoids an open field tackle in Friday's 20-12 loss to Mullan/St. Regis.
Photo by Brittany Young
Mullan/St. Regis 20, Clark Fork 12
MULLAN — Clark Fork fell just short of Mullan/St. Regis at John Drager Field in what was described by CFHS head coach Patrick Young as an “instant classic.”
The entire game was back-and-forth with each team trading large gains and stops throughout the contest. With four minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the Wampus Cats found themselves trailing 14-12, and things got interesting.
Clark Fork kicked things into high gear, literally, as the Wampus Cats recovered an onside kick and drove down the field. The team approached the red zone, ready to score. Young told his team as long as they didn’t turn the ball over, the game was all but theirs.
Clark Fork was playing a clean game up to this point, but the team would fumble the ball, and it would be recovered by Mullan/St. Regis. The Tigers would eventually drive down the field and score with just two minutes remaining, securing the 20-12 victory.
Despite the loss, it was one of the closest, most hard-fought games the Wampus Cats have had against Mullan/St. Regis in recent years, Young said.
“These kids work so hard, I could not be more proud of them,” Young said. “There is not another group of kids I would rather coach.”
Young’s squad certainly worked hard Friday night. Evrett Montgomery had nine receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. If that wasn’t enough, he had another interception on defense as well, his fifth of the season.
Chase Sanroman and Ethan Howard split quarterback duties. Sanroman had eight completions for 110 yards and a touchdown; Howard had seven completions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Sanroman also carried the ball 10 times for 73 yards. Also putting up great numbers were Dillon Ryan-Downing who rushed 20 times for 60 yards and Jackson Clemens who hauled in four receptions for 38 yards.
Clark Fork (2-3) will not be back in action until Friday, Oct. 13 when they will face Wallace at home. The team is planning a “whiteout” for homecoming week. Originally scheduled for next Friday, Sept. 29 was Kootenai, but the Warriors canceled their season due to lack of available players.