On Friday night, dominant 5A powerhouse Melissa squared off against legendary coach Todd Dodge and his Lovejoy Leopards in a highly anticipated matchup to determine the top seed in their district.
Lovejoy struck first, taking an early 7-0 lead, but Melissa quickly responded, tying the game at 7-7 by the end of the first quarter. Both teams showcased their offensive firepower in a back-and-forth battle, ending the first half tied at 21-21.
Lovejoy started strong in the second half, pulling ahead 38-28, but Melissa mounted a fierce comeback, creating crucial stops and tying the game 38-38. Just when it seemed the game would go into overtime, Lovejoy capitalized on great field position, sealing the victory with a game-winning field goal, 41-38, in a dramatic upset.
Looking ahead, Melissa will have a bye week to regroup after this intense battle. Meanwhile, Lovejoy will face Independence, seeking to rebound from a tough 70-29 defeat against Anna. Both teams are eager to continue their season’s journey.
