EAGLEVILLE – The Community Vikings controlled field position for most of the opening quarter, but the Vikings could not capitalize on their opportunities as the Eagleville Eagles took control and defeated Community 40-8 in a Region 5-2A matchup Friday night.

Penalties played a big role as the Eagles wrested away the Viking advantage in field position and used big plays to take the lead.

After a three-and-out on its opening possession, Community (1-4, 0-2) used a 36-yard punt from Chris Martin to back up the Eagles.

The Viking defense came up big as Eagleville could not gain a first down on its first possession.

After the Eagles fumbled the snap on a punt, Community took over at the Eagleville 27-yard line.

A holding penalty stalled the Viking drive as Community was unsuccessful on a fourth down conversion attempt.

The Viking defense stopped the Eagles on their next possession, but Community was dealt a blow as linebacker and running back C. J. Rivera was injured and did not return to the game.

"We had to make some adjustments," Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said.

"I knew what I wanted to do, but I had to wait until halftime so I could make the adjustment and change the jersey on one of my linemen."

The field position also changed as the Vikings started their next possession from the Eagle 7-yard line.

Another three-and-out gave Eagleville the ball at the Viking 38-yard line as the first quarter ended.

With the Viking offense stymied and unable to make a first down in the first half, Eagleville used the same combination to score three touchdowns.

Eagle quarterback Marcus Collins connected with Kaden Snitzer for three scores on passes of 15, 49, and 15 yards as Eagleville took a 21-0 halftime lead.      

Collins took to the ground to score from 11 yards out early in the third quarter as the Eagles increased their lead to 27-0.

The Vikings got untracked on their next possession. Community used runs from Dallas Grooms, Zander Monroe, and Brandon Evans to gain three first downs, but a holding penalty slowed the drive. The Vikings reached the Eagle 22 but could not convert on fourth down.

Another run from Collins, this one for 67 yards, increased the Eagleville advantage to 34-0 and ended the scoring in the quarter.

Community used a big play to get on the board in the fourth quarter.

John Stanley took the handoff and raced 85 yards to pay dirt. Martin followed with a run for two as the Eagle lead was cut to 34-8.

"Chris Martin and Zander had it sealed over there," Grooms said. "I think Chris put three of them down on that run."

"When you've got blocking from Chris and Zander, you just hop back there and roll with it," Grooms added.

Eagleville scored its final touchdown two minutes later to end the scoring for the night.    

"Once we made some adjustments, we were able to move it, but by then with injuries and things taking place, we had to move people around," Grooms said.   

Community travels to Cascade to take on the Champions in an intra-county game next Friday night at 7 p.m.        

Community     0   0    0   8 —  8  

Eagleville         0 21  13  6 — 40

Second Quarter

E – Kaden Snitzer 15 pass from Marcus Collins, (run failed), 11:52.

E – Snitzer 49 pass from Collins, (Collins run), 9:43.

E – Snitzer 15 pass from Collins, (Collins kick), 2:54.

Third Quarter

E – Collins 11 run (kick failed), 9:30.

E – Collins 67 run, (Alex Adams kick), 1:42.

Fourth Quarter

C – John Stanley 85 run, (Chris Martin run), 4:16.

E – Jesse Brown 40 run, (kick failed), 2:38.