MANTACHIE—Friday, the Walnut Wildcats scored early and often, as they got back to their winning ways with a 40-7 win over the Mantachie Mustangs. The previous Monday the Wildcats dropped a 28-20 decision to Baldwyn. It was the second straight week in which the Wildcats were forced to play two games in five days.

The Wildcats (6-2, 2-1 in 1-2A) scored four first-quarter touchdowns to take a 27-0 lead. Shaquile Perry scored twice in the quarter--a 30-yard fumble return and an 82-yard run. The junior has scored at least two touchdowns in three straight games.

Kenneth Finger opened the scoring with a 4-yard run, and Dominic Steele added a 45-yard touchdown run later in the quarter, sandwiched between Perry’s two scores.

"We got off to a quick start and played with a lot of intensity," said Walnut coach Timmy Moore. "We played real fast, got the game under control, and that allowed us to play lot of young kids in the second half."

Mark Peterson and Brett Clifton rounded out the scoring with runs of 21 and 8 yards, respectively, in the second quarter.

"We were able to run the ball and that was the big thing tonight," said Moore. "With the field conditions, I was pleased that we didn’t have any turnovers, and it was important for us to stop the ball and then be able to run the ball. We were able to do that tonight."

The Wildcats held the Mustangs (2-7, 0-3) to just 35 rushing yards, however Mustang quarterback Dalton McMillen had a decent game at quarterback, passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

McMillen tossed a 20-yard touchdown pass to Shawn Thompson in the second quarter, and later hit Jeremy Warren for a 55-yard strike in the fourth.