CLARK FORK — Quarterback Zack Klein connected with Ben Bahr on a 60-yard scoring strike on their first offensive play, but it wasn’t enough as the Wampus Cats lost 64-14 to Kootenai on Friday night in the final game of the season.

Klein also tossed a 33-yard score to Brandan Bowen in the first half, but the Wampus Cats (5-4, 2-2 NSL) went into half time trailing the Warriors 44-14.

The Cats had two costly turnovers in the first half, both inside the Warriors 10-yard line, which proved too much to overcome.

“Those were two opportunities we left on the board,” said head coach Brian Arthun, lamenting the absence of senior Axel Anderson, who missed the game with a back injury. “He was sorely missed on defense, and he’s a big time weapon on offense.”

Klein finished the game going 24-35 for 300 yards, and fellow senior Joey Hazinsky hauled in 13 catches for 157 yards in defeat.

Simeon Desautel had four touchdown runs to lead the Warriors (6-3, 4-0 NSL), who clinched the 1A Division II playoff berth with the win.

“They were able to control the line of scrimmage and we couldn’t get off their blocks. They were too big and physical for us,” said Arthun of Kootenai, while praising his team for bouncing back from a one-win season. “I’m really proud of the guys, they made some big strides this year.”

Kootenai   16   28   14   6 — 64

Clark Fork   8    6    0     0 — 14

Koot — Si. Desautel 14 run (Mo. Willms catch)

CF — Ben Bahr 60 catch from Klein (Hazinsky catch)

Koot — M. Speelman 24 catch from Ma. Willms (Mo. Willms catch)

Koot — Si. Desautel 30 run (Ma. Speelman catch)

Koot — Si. Desautel 10 run (Mo. Willms catch)

Koot — Mo. Willms 66 run (try failed)

CF — Brandan Bowen 33 catch from Klein (try failed)

Koot — Ma. Speelman 7 run (try failed)

Koot — Si. Desautel 85 run (Mo. Willms run)

Koot — Napierala 58 run (try failed)

Koot — Mo. Willms 7 run (try failed)