BY TERRI BARKER

ANNA-MELISSA TRIBUNE

MELISSA -- John Vroman intercepted Chase Fountaine in the final minutes of the first half and the ensuing 33-yard field goal by Conner Monroe proved to be the difference in Melissa's 31-28 victory over Howe in District 11-2A action.

The Cardinals took the opening kickoff and burned seven minutes with a 16-play drive that was capped by Nathan Warren's 17-yard touchdown.

On Melissa's next possession, Wes McQueen connected with Warren for a 66-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Howe answered quickly with a 22-yard pass from Fountaine to Alex Torres that put the Bulldogs on the board 49 seconds into second quarter.

Monroe's field goal allowed Melissa to take the 10-point lead at the half.

The third quarter began with back-to-back fumbles by both offenses. The Cards muffed a punt return but Kyle Smith recovered a Bulldog fumble on the following play. Cody Morgan ran for a 15-yard touchdown to help Melissa capitalize on the turnover.

The Bulldogs went three-and-out before Melissa methodically marched down the field only to fumble at the 15-yard line. Bronco Wildman picked up the ball and returned it 85 yards nearly untouched into the end zone with 1:47 left in the quarter.

In the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, Fountaine connected with Torres for a 27-yard touchdown but there was a bad snap on the extra point.

Seven plays later, Bush broke several tackles and found running room on the left side for a 34-yard touchdown.

Fountaine led Howe on a scoring drive with a 15-yard completion to Wildman, followed by a 64-yard touchdown strike to Torres. Howe picked up the two-point conversion on a Melvin Rodriguez run with 6:49 left in the game.

The Cards then turned to the running game, picking up two first downs before turning the ball over on downs at the Bulldog 26-yard line.

Melissa's defense stepped up again, got the ball back on downs with 1:30 left and hung on for the victory.