By RICKEY CLARDY
Sports Writer
DUNLAP – The Community Vikings had trouble gaining first downs in the opening half and the Sequatchie County Indians capitalized with good field position that resulted in six first half touchdowns as the Vikings fell 48-6 in a Region 4-3A football game Friday night.
The Vikings were able to control the ball on their opening possession.
Wilson Richmond picked up a first down on a 7-yard run on third down to extend the Community drive, but the Vikings could not pick up another first down and were forced to punt.
A 44-yard punt by Richmond backed up the Indians as Sequatchie County started its opening possession on its own 24.
The Indians got their offense in gear and scored on a 1-yard pass from Sam Evitts to Jackson Tate. The extra point by William Machado gave Sequatchie County a 7-0 lead with 5:19 left in the opening quarter.
The Indians added to their lead as Austin Griffith scored from one yard out with 50 seconds remaining as Sequatchie County led 14-0.
As the game moved to the second quarter, the Indians started most of their drives near midfield.
Sequatchie County added four touchdowns in the quarter, including a 54-yard punt return by Tate for a TD as the Indians took a 42-0 lead to the intermission.
The Vikings got their offense going on their first possession in the third quarter, culminating with a score.
Starting at its own 42, Community picked up four first downs on the drive, with Noah Land aiding the cause with runs of 14 and 5 yards.
As the Vikings reached the red zone, Community turned to Richmond to get to the end zone. The Vikings inched closer and faced a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line as the game moved to the fourth quarter. Richmond finished the deal as the senior crossed the goal line for the first touchdown of his Viking career.
“We could have fed anybody at that point,” Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said. “My right side, Daniel Walters and Wyatt Elsner were cleaning up for us along with Joseph Johnson my center, so we were handling that right side pretty well.”
“Wilson had never scored a touchdown,” Grooms added. “I told the kids he’s a senior and we’ve got to get him in the end zone and get our soldier home, my one senior.”
“They got behind him and did everything they could and got him in,” Grooms said.
The Indians added a touchdown three minutes later to end the scoring.
“They’re a tough team and the easiest way to slow them down is to keep them from getting the ball,” Grooms said. “We put in a lot of stuff and added a lot to the running game.”
“We gave up a blown coverage once and had some missed tackles,” Grooms added.
Community will celebrate Senior Night with a home game against region foe Giles County next Friday night.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.
Community. 0 0 0 6 — 6
Sequatchie Co. 14 28 0 6 — 48
First Quarter
SC — Jackson Tate 1 pass from Sam Evitts (William Machado kick) 5:19.
SC — Austin Griffith 1 run (Machado kick) 0:50.
Second Quarter
SC — Kason Hicks 10 run (Machado kick) 9:00.
SC — Griffith 8 run (Machado kick) 6:32.
SC — Tate 54 punt return (Machado kick) 4:23.
SC — Griffith 12 pass from Hunter Minton (Machado kick) 1:38.