Kendrick blanks Clark Fork in White Star League game

KENDRICK — There’s a reason Kendrick is ranked No. 3 in the state in the latest 1A Division II football media poll, and they showed why by dispatching short-handed Clark Fork 70-0 on Friday night in a White Star League football game in Kendrick.

The Wampus Cats (4-4, 3-3 WSL) already faced an uphill battle against a league power that is clearly a cut above in size, speed and numbers, and having to play without quarterback Wade Stevens and lineman Spencer Jeffres, arguably their two most indispensable players, certainly didn’t help matters.

Kendrick (6-1) came as advertised, and after facing another league power in Deary last week, it was another tough one-sided loss for the Wampus Cats, who only had 10 players suit up.

“They were definitely a state championship-caliber team,” said Cats head coach Brian Arthun, whose team had the unenviable task of facing Deary and Kendrick in back-to-back weeks. “They’re just heads above everybody else in the White Star League. We got beat up last week.”

There were a couple of bright spots in the loss, as Dakota West finished with 12 tackles and Theo Icardo eight, helping pick up the slack with two key cogs out.

“Dakota West played a really good game defensively,” said Arthun. “We’ll get a good week of practice and try to go 5-4.”

Clark Fork is at Lewis County next Saturday in the final game of the season.