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Viking comeback bid falls short

By RICKEY CLARDY ~ Sports Writer
Posted 10/10/22

UNIONVILLE — The Community Vikings made it a one-score game with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings could not get closer as the Huntland Hornets defeated Community 21-6 in …

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Viking comeback bid falls short

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UNIONVILLE — The Community Vikings made it a one-score game with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but the Vikings could not get closer as the Huntland Hornets defeated Community 21-6 in a non-region football game Friday night.
Community (1-6) started the game with an impressive opening drive that moved the ball into Hornet territory.
Quarterback Dallas Grooms returned from injury and threw a 15-yard pass to Cole Crockett and a 14-yard pass to Emery Smith for first downs, but the drive stalled as the Vikings could not convert on fourth down.
The Hornets took over and marched down the field for a touchdown as Jarren Kinslow ran two yards for the score.
The extra point by Grant Morris was good as Huntland led 7-0 with 1:19 left in the opening quarter.
After a Viking punt, the Hornets threatened as the game reached the second quarter, but the Community defense came up big.
On fourth down from the Viking 3-yard line, a fumble recovery by Jacob Harden stopped the drive and kept Huntland out of the end zone.
Each team had two possessions the remainder of the quarter but neither team could score as the Hornets took a 7-0 lead into the intermission.
"The defense showed up," Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said. "We had the game plan and used the formation strategy of what they ran."
The Vikings started the second half in grand style as Gavin Garcia recovered an onside kick, giving Community possession at the Huntland 42-yard line.
But the Vikings could not capitalize as a fumble halted the drive.
The Community defense continued to sparkle as a Huntland 3-and-out gave the Vikings possession, but another Viking fumble turned the ball over to the Hornets.
This time, the Hornets found pay dirt as Evan Keller connected with Eli Wiggs on a nine-yard pass for a touchdown.
The extra point by Morris gave Huntland a 14-0 lead with 5:45 left in the third quarter.
Starting at their own 21 on their next possession, the Viking offense put together a 16-play drive, resulting in a score to narrow the Hornet lead.
On two occasions, the Vikings faced fourth downs, but were successful on both conversion attempts.
A 12-yard pass from Grooms to Crockett and an 8-yard pass from Grooms to Harden kept the drive alive as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
Facing a third-and-15, the Vikings came up big as Crockett took a pass from Grooms and raced down the left sideline for a 41-yard completion.
Crockett followed with the rush for the score to put the Vikings on the scoreboard. The run was unsuccessful as the Hornets led 14-6 with 9:00 remaining.
"Our offense, when it gets going and we've got all our pieces, can move the ball," Grooms said. "We got one of our pieces back this week and it helped us move the ball."
"When you bring one piece back, you get another piece," Grooms added. "We knew we were going to use Cole and get him the ball. That was the game plan."
The Vikings could not keep the Hornets at bay as Huntland responded with a scoring drive of their own to extend their lead.
Kinslow ended the drive with a 5-yard run to give the Hornets some breathing room.
The extra point gave Huntland a 21-6 advantage with 3:31 left.
The Vikings could not convert on fourth down on their next possession as the Hornets took over with two minutes remaining and ran out the clock.
Community travels to Woodbury to take on Cannon County in a Region 4-3A game next Friday night at 7 p.m. as the Vikings entertain playoff hopes down the stretch with two region games remaining on the schedule.
"This is what we're here for. It's the grind at the end," Grooms said.
"I told them to stay positive and good things will come."

Huntland 7 0 7 7 — 21
Community 0 0 0 6 — 6

First Quarter
H —Jarren Kinslow 2 run, (Grant Morris kick), 1:19.
Third Quarter
H — Eli Wiggs 9 pass from Evan Keller, (Morris kick), 5:45.
Fourth Quarter
C — Crockett 1 run, (run failed), 9:00.
H — Kinslow 5 run, (Morris kick), 3:31.