1. Mullan
2. Clark Fork
3. Kootenai
Written by: Will Hoenike
Coming off a COVID-shortened season in 2020 that ended with a 2-3 record, the Clark Fork Wampus Cats will look to move up the North Star League standings in 2021.
Head coach Brian Arthun’s team will need to replace all-conference lineman Chris Wade and veteran playmaker Cameron Garcia but does return talented senior Carter Sanroman, who will be the focal point of the team’s offense at running back and the team’s defense at linebacker. But he’ll have help in fellow senior receiver/linebacker Sam Barnett, junior offensive/defensive lineman Nathan Shelton, and versatile junior Antonio Mayorga.
The team played just two North Star games last season, dropping them both to eventual 1A Division 2 state semifinalist Mullan/St. Regis, so the Wampus Cats have a clear picture of where they need to go to return to the postseason. Continued development of sophomore quarterback Ethan Howard will help close the gap between the Cats and the Tigers.
Clark Fork allowed 14 total points in its two wins in 2020, while surrendering 172 in its three losses. Tackling and limiting big plays will also be critical to the Wampus Cats’ fortunes.
A third team is expected to join the party this fall as old friend Kootenai is expected to return to a full slate of action. Prior to Mullan/St. Regis last fall, Kootenai was the last North Star team to win a postseason game, so there is plenty of history there. The three teams will compete for one spot in the postseason so there’s very little margin for error for any of the teams.