The Walnut Grove Wildcats edged out the Melissa Cardinals 37-28 on Friday night in a thrilling 5A showdown. Both teams traded blows early, but the Wildcats’ balanced attack and key defensive stops secured the win.

First Half Fireworks

Melissa came out strong, scoring the opening touchdown to lead 7-0. Walnut Grove quickly answered, tying the game at 7-7 before taking a 14-7 advantage after a defensive stand. The Cardinals stayed resilient, forcing a fumble and turning it into points for a 21-14 lead. By halftime, the score was knotted at 28-28, with both offenses firing on all cylinders.

Wildcats Pull Ahead

The second half belonged to Walnut Grove. Their defense tightened, shutting down Melissa’s scoring chances, while the offense methodically added points to secure the 37-28 victory. The win highlighted Walnut Grove’s ability to excel on both sides of the ball, solidifying their place as a district leader.

Looking Ahead

Melissa (5-4) will face Denison next week in their final district matchup, while Walnut Grove (8-1) takes on Independence with sights set on a strong finish to their regular season. Both teams remain playoff-bound and ready to make noise in the postseason.