CLARK FORK – The Wampus Cats are hard at work as the football team ramps up the practices — and the intensity — with the fall season just weeks away.

First-year CFHS head football coach Patrick Young, a 2009 CFHS graduate, is looking to lead this 8-man football team deep into the playoffs this year.

The Wampus Cats are coming off a 5-4 season last year, a year where they were narrowly defeated twice by their arch-rivals, Mullan. With a veteran roster of eight seniors and a strong core of newcomers and returners, the Wampus Cats are looking to change that narrative.

“These kids are out here working hard every day,” Young said. “This week is two-a-day practices and then we are back to a normal schedule next week. They are going to be ready for the first game.”

Clark Fork will play the first high school football game in Bonner County this fall facing off against Mullan at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18. Young said that they are looking to pack the stadium with as many fans as allowed and that the players are eager to get back under the Friday night lights.

The full story and the CFHS football schedule will be published in the Daily Bee Sports Preview, which is set to be published Wednesday, Aug. 23.