UNIONVILLE – The Community Vikings fell behind with poor field position in the first half and the Cornersville Bulldogs used big plays to pad their lead in the second half as the Vikings fell 36-6 Friday night in the football opener for both teams.

Viking penalties, turnovers, and Bulldog conversions on third and fourth down helped Cornersville gain the upper hand.

After the Vikings received the opening kickoff but could not gain a first down, the Bulldogs received the Community punt and drove to the Viking 22. On fourth down and eight, Jackson Farler completed a 22-yard pass to Eli Welch for a touchdown to give Cornersville the lead. A 2-point conversion increased the Cornersville advantage to 8-0 with six minutes left in the opening period.

A 16-yard run by C. J. Rivera highlighted the next Viking drive. Community could not convert a fourth down conversion, but the Viking defense stiffened by stopping a fourth down attempt by the Bulldogs as Cornersville ended the quarter with its 8-point lead.

A Viking fumble deep in its own territory gave the Bulldogs excellent field position. The Community defense stopped the Bulldogs on two plays, but Alex Hillard scored on a 4-yard run on third down as Cornersville increased its lead. Another 2-point conversion put the Bulldogs up 16-0 with 8:11 left in the first half.

The Vikings made some noise on their final possession of the half. Dallas Grooms completed two passes to Maki Fleming for first downs and one for a first down to Chris Martin, but a fourth down conversion attempt failed as the Bulldogs took their lead to the intermission.

“Field position was a big thing,” Coach Chris Grooms of the Vikings said. “We kept getting pinned down deep with penalties and it kept pushing us back.”

Cornersville used a 52-yard run by Hillard on its second play from scrimmage to start the second half to up its lead to 22-0.

The Bulldogs faced a fourth down at the Community 23 when the lights went out on one side of the Viking field. After a long delay, Cornersville converted the fourth down and found pay dirt as Farler hit Hillard with a 23-yard pass to put the Bulldogs up 28-0.

Hillard wasn’t through as his 53-yard run put Cornersville up 36-0 and ended the third quarter scoring.

The Vikings used a 45-yard run by McCade Miller to set up a first and goal at the Bulldog eight. An interception ended the rally and kept the Vikings out of the end zone.

Community found the end zone on its final possession of the game. John Stanley took a forward pitch from Grooms and raced 30 yards to put the Vikings on the board.

“We ran that jet pass and he was gone,” Grooms said. “Stanley’s a talented man. When we get him the ball, he can take off with it.”

“I was impressed with the o-lines holding their blocks and they kept my quarterback clean,” Grooms added.

The Vikings begin a five-game road trip by traveling to Moore County Friday night. Game time is 7 p.m.

Cornersville 8 8 20 0 — 36

Community 0 0 0 6 — 6

First Quarter

Cor — Eli Welch 22 pass from Jackson Farler, (Cason Warner 2pt. run), 6:03.

Second Quarter

Cor — Alex Hillard 4 run, (Warner 2pt. run), 8:11.

Third Quarter

Cor — Hillard 52 run, (2pt. run failed), 11:07.

Cor — Hillard 23 pass, from Farler, (2pt. run failed) 7:00.

Cor — Hillard 53 run, (Warner 2pt. run), 2:08.

Fourth Quarter

Com — John Stanley 30 pass from Dallas Grooms, (2pt. pass failed), 1:50.