Isaac Jacobs eludes two Lion defenders and rushes 33 yards for the Vikings. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
WOODBURY — The Community Vikings stopped the Cannon County Lions on two fourth-down conversion attempts in the second quarter but failed to reach the end zone on their scoring chances as the Lions took advantage of their opportunities and gradually widened their lead as Cannon County defeated the Vikings 49-8 in a non-region football contest Friday night.
The Lions took the opening kickoff and scored on their third play from scrimmage as Eli Garrett connected with Andrew Alexander on a 13-yard pass play.
The extra point attempt by Adrian Prater was good as Cannon County (3-1) led 7-0 with 10:56 remaining in the first quarter.
After a Viking three-and-out, the Lions started their second drive of the night, but the Community defense came up big as Isaac Jacobs recovered a Cannon County fumble. Community (0-4) could not gain a first down as the Lions took over at their own 34 after a Viking punt.
The Lions increased their lead as Garrett hit Miles Alexander o
Severen Garman drives to the end zone and reaches the pylon for a Viking touchdown. (Post Photo by Rickey Clardy)
n a 14-yard pass play. The extra point gave Cannon County a 14-0 advantage with 5:00 left.
Garrett once again connected with Miles Alexander for a 34-yard TD pass as the Lions went up 21-0 with 3:07 remaining.
The Vikings made some noise on their next possession with the help of a 33-yard run by Jacobs.
Community could not make another first down on the drive, but a 41-yard punt to start the second quarter by Jarrett Yancey reversed the field position as the Lions started their drive at their own 22.
A window of opportunity came up for the Vikings as a Lions’ incomplete pass on fourth down gave Community the ball at the Cannon County 31.
A personal foul and a 7-yard run by Kaeden Hensel moved the ball into the red zone as the Vikings reached the Lion 8-yard line, but an interception in the end zone ended the drive.
Once again a Lions’ incomplete pass on fourth down gave the Vikings possession in Cannon County territory at the Lion 38, but a fumble ended the Community drive.
“We’re getting better. But we’ve got to quit shooting ourselves in the foot and turning the ball over,” Coach Glenn Tidwell of the Vikings said.
“That’s youth. A lot of things we’re doing are just youth or inexperience,” Tidwell added. “They’re learning every week and we just have to keep plugging away.”
The Lions increased their lead to 28-0 as Kale Sellars scored from six yards out. A 37-yard kickoff return by Jacobs on the ensuing kickoff gave the Vikings good field position at the Community 44, but the Vikings could not gain a first down.
The Lions scored as time ran out in the half as Garrett connected with Andrew Alexander on a 44-yard touchdown pass to give Cannon County a 35-0 lead.
Another big kickoff return, this time for 38 yards by Jacobs gave the Vikings the ball at their own 47 to start the third quarter.
A three-and-out followed by a blocked punt gave the Lions the ball in Community territory and Cannon County responded as Sellars scored on a 15-yard touchdown run to give the Lions a 42-0 lead.
A 27-yard kickoff return by Jacobs gave the Vikings the ball at their own 42 as Community started a drive that resulted in a score.
Three first downs, including a 24-yard run by Jacobs moved the ball to the Lion 11.
As the game moved to the fourth quarter, Yancey came on for a field goal attempt after the drive stalled, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Vikings new life and a first-and-goal at the Lion 4.
Community took advantage of the penalty as Severen Garman rushed four yards for a touchdown on the next play.
Charlie Haskins followed with the run for two as the Lion lead was cut to 42-8 with 8:50 left.
The Lions added the final score of the night as Miles Alexander rushed 59 yards for a Cannon County touchdown.
“Probably if you had to choose a weakness for us right now it would be in pass coverage because we’re young,” Tidwell said.
“We’ve got to get better on offense and can’t keep going three-and-outs and giving them the ball back,” Tidwell added.
Community will return home and face Richland next Friday night in its final non-region game of the season.
Game time is 7 p.m.
Community 0 0 0 8 — 8
Cannon Co. 21 14 7 7 — 49
First Quarter
CC — Andrew Alexander 13 pass from Eli Garrett (Adrian Prater kick) 10:56.
CC — Miles Alexander 14 pass from Garrett (Prater kick) 5:00.
CC — M. Alexander 34 pass from Garrett (Prater kick) 3:07.
Second Quarter
CC — Kale Sellars 6 run (Prater kick) 2:50.
CC — A. Alexander 44 pass from Garrett (Prater kick) 0:00.
Third Quarter
CC — Sellars 15 run (Prater kick) 4:47.
Fourth Quarter
C — Severen Garman 4 run (Charlie Haskins run) 8:50.
CC — M. Alexander 59 run (Prater kick) 6:42.