PREP FOOTBALL: Montgomery shows out for Clark Fork homecoming crowd

CLARK FORK — Despite a 54-26 loss to Coeur du Christ, senior Evrett Montgomery recorded 360 all-purpose yards, four total touchdowns, and 10 tackles in 1A North Star League action at Clark Fork High on Friday. 

Quarterback Mateo Cruz was 11-for-26 passing with two touchdowns, an interception, and 241 yards. Cruz, a sophomore, also rushed eight times for 57 yards on the night for Clark Fork, which was down to just eight healthy players by the second half. 

“Every substitute went down last night, I had to move guys around and tell them to just play,” Clark Fork High head coach Patrick Young said. “I told some of them, I know you’ve never played defensive end or right tackle, you just have to go play.” 

The Wampus Cats trailed the first-year Saints just 12-8 at halftime, but fatigue kicked in and the deficit eventually widened to 36-14 by the end of the third quarter. 

Thomas Butler, a sophomore who usually plays on the offensive and defensive line, came in to play fullback and carried the ball four times for 57 yards. 

“He had a couple of nice blocks at the fullback position that sprung Evrett for a couple of big runs,” coach Young said. “I think we may have found our new fullback; he runs hard.” 

Out of his 360 total yards, Montgomery carried the pigskin 12 times for 70 yards, hauled in nine receptions for 223 yards, and returned a number of kickoffs for 67 yards en route to two receiving (53 and 70 yards) and two rushing touchdowns.  

“I’m really proud of our effort; we’re never going to give up, never quit and fight until the end” coach Young said. “If we have to go less than eight players, we’re still going to go — that’s just the mentality of a place like Clark Fork. Tonight, our players put everything on the line for the seniors and gave it their all.” 

For the Saints, sophomore John Denke rushed for five touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass, while Greg Hayes ran for two scores and passed to Denke for one. Coach Young said he has a lot of respect for the Saints and for their head coach, Kellen Clemens, who, back in the day, threw for an Oregon state-record 8,646 yards (610-of-1,112) and 102 touchdowns and for 7,555 more yards and 61 touchdowns during his time as an Oregon Duck.

Clemens mentioned to Young after game how the atmosphere and greetings from the Wampus Cat crowd made for a great game setting.

Senior Stone Koivu added 37 yards on eight carries for Clark Fork (0-3) which hopes some players heal up before traveling to play Nezperce of Lewis County on Saturday at 2 p.m.