Wildcats Rally From 14 Down to Shock Anna and Stay Unbeaten

PROSPER Walnut Grove’s perfect season looked shaky late in the third quarter, but the Wildcats saved their best punch for the final stretch. Trailing 38 to 24, they erupted with three unanswered touchdowns and stormed past Anna for a dramatic 45 to 38 victory, pushing their record to a flawless 7 and 0.

Newton Takes Over the Night

When the Wildcats needed a spark, Cameron Newton provided a bonfire. The senior tailback shredded the Coyotes with 141 rushing yards and four touchdowns, then added 105 receiving yards to cap one of his most complete outings yet. His end zone streak continues as well, now at eight straight games with multiple rushing scores.

Quarterback Hayes Hackney matched Newton’s urgency and precision. Hackney fired for 360 yards and two touchdowns, guiding a comeback that saw Walnut Grove score on four of its final five possessions.

Defense Flips the Script

What changed the momentum was the Wildcats’ defensive front. After struggling early, Walnut Grove’s pass rush tightened its grip on the game. Anna quarterback Ziondre Williams was dropped four times, with Keller Pittenger collecting two sacks and Parker Olson making plays all over the field. Olson closed with six tackles, four behind the line, and a sack that stalled one of Anna’s late drives.

Coyotes Come Close Behind Huge Offensive Night

Anna controlled the matchup for much of the night thanks to a spectacular showing from Williams, who threw for 375 yards and five touchdowns while adding 45 yards on the ground. Michael Kennedy worked as his primary target again, hauling in 161 yards and four scores to help build the Coyotes’ 14-point lead.

But the final quarter belonged to Walnut Grove. Anna’s offense stalled, their five-game road win streak vanished, and they fell to 5 and 2.

What’s Next

Both teams pivot to important matchups next Friday. Walnut Grove, sitting at 46th in the state rankings, hosts Lovejoy at 7:30 p.m. Anna looks to regroup on the road at Denison at the same time.

With another comeback added to their résumé, Walnut Grove continues to prove they are more than just explosive. They are resilient, seasoned under pressure, and still perfect.