CLARK FORK — The road to the playoffs got a lot rockier when the Wampus Cats moved from the North Star League to the White Star League for football purposes a few years back.

The league gets two teams to the state playoffs, but with 1A Division II powerhouses Deary and Kendrick in the way, Clark Fork will eventually need to take one of them down to punch their ticket to the post-season.

The Wampus Cats (2-3, 2-2 WSL) will travel south to face the No. 3 state ranked Deary Mustangs tonight in a White Star League battle. The Mustangs (5-0) have rolled through their schedule so far, outscoring the opposition 276-62 this season.

Deary beat Potlach 50-6, while Potlach beat the Cats 34-20 in a game much closer than the score. Longtime Clark Fork head coach Brian Arthun knows his team will need to buckle the chin straps a little tighter for the Mustangs, ranked No. 2 in the state by the Idahosports.com power rankings.

“We are definitely going to have our work cut out for us. We are coming off our best game of the year, but Deary is a whole new level,” admitted Arthun. “We’re going to have to play mistake free football and hope the ball bounces our way a few times. They are big and physical, so we are going to have to play with good technique.”

The Cats are loaded at the skill positions, with quarterback Wade Stevens dangerous in the running and passing game and Bryant Moore providing a deep threat. The two-pronged running attack of Josh Constantin, who has five rushing scores in the past two games, and Theo Icardo, who gets touches in the running and receiving game, was impressive in last week’s 44-12 drubbing of Kootenai.

Toben Pincher has proven to be a playmaker on defense, while Icardo continues to lead the team in tackles and set a physical tone. The Cats have been in every game this year, but Deary marks a big step up in size, both of the players and team. Arthun has one of the best squads he’s had in years and they’re finally healthy. While clearly the underdogs, they won’t go down without a fight tonight.

“We have had a spirited week of practice, and I think the kids are excited by the challenge,” said Arthun, who feels his team is better than it’s record shows. “Before the Kootenai game, the three previous games we just weren’t able to finish close games.”

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. in Deary.