On Friday night, the Melissa Cardinals continued their district play against the Liberty Redhawks, who were seeking their first win of the season. From the opening kickoff, Melissa dominated, racing to a commanding 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Melissa’s defense was relentless, stifling Liberty’s offense and forcing multiple turnovers. Meanwhile, the Cardinals’ offense was firing on all cylinders, adding another 28 points to extend their lead to 56-0. Liberty managed to score a touchdown but missed the PAT, ending the first half at 56-6.
The second half saw Melissa maintain their momentum, scoring two more touchdowns while Liberty managed just one additional score. The final whistle blew with Melissa securing a dominant 70-13 victory, showcasing their potential for a deep playoff run after starting the season 0-1.
Looking ahead, Melissa will host Anna next week in what promises to be a significant test, especially after Anna’s recent high-scoring loss to Todd Dodge’s Lovejoy Leopards. Liberty, meanwhile, will face Independence, who are coming off a close 20-17 loss to Memorial. This matchup is crucial for Liberty as they seek their first win of the season and a chance to turn things around.
