WOODBURY – Already trailing 20-8 late in the second quarter, the Community Vikings were in danger of falling behind further as the Cannon County Lions had possession and a first-and-goal at the Viking eight-yard line.

The Vikings proceeded to come up big as Luke Underwood recovered a Lion fumble, thwarting the Cannon County drive.

The momentum turned on a dime as the Vikings controlled the second half and came from behind to defeat the Lions 28-20, giving Community its first win of the season.

"We told them to take our little mistakes, fix them, and keep rolling," Viking coach Chris Grooms of said.

“At the end of the night, we'll be alright.”

The game started in an inauspicious way for the Vikings. Community (1-3, 0-1) recovered an onside kick to start the game, but an offside penalty nullified the play.

The Lions took advantage on their first possession as Brenden Reed raced 52 yards for a touchdown just 10 seconds into the game to give Cannon County a 7-0 lead.

The Vikings answered as Maki Fleming ran 68 yards for an apparent touchdown 20 seconds later, but a holding penalty took the points off the board.

Conner Tucker raced into the end zone from one yard out as Cannon County scored on its second possession to increase its advantage to 14-0.

Community came up big on its next possession.

Fleming hauled in a pass from quarterback Dallas Grooms near the line of scrimmage and raced 77 yards for pay dirt.

Grooms ran for the two-point conversion as the Vikings cut the Cannon County lead to 14-8 with 5:50 remaining in the opening quarter. 

The quarter ended with the Lions in possession and threatening to add to their lead.

Cannon County completed its drive in the second quarter with Reed running six yards for the score to put the Lions up 20-8.

After the Vikings were unsuccessful on a fourth down conversion attempt, the Lions inherited good field position and looked ready to add to their lead.

Cannon County made a conversion attempt of its own and drove to the Community eight-yard line with a first-and-goal before C.J. Rivera made the hit and caused the fumble which Underwood recovered with 1:12 left, stopping the Lion drive and ended the scoring for the half.

"We moved C.J. Rivera from linebacker to nose," Grooms said.

"He blew through and got him in the backfield and caused the fumble."

The Vikings drove deep into Lion territory on their first two drives of the second half but came up empty on fourth down conversion attempts.

Community used a 31-yard run from Grooms and an 11-yard scamper from McCade Miller on its first drive, but came up short after reaching the Lion 11-yard line.

Special teams came up big for the Vikings as Zander Monroe partially blocked a Cannon County punt, but the second drive stopped at the Lion 21-yard line.

After the Lions had an 84-yard touchdown run called back due to a penalty, the Vikings started their next drive at the Cannon County 39.

Community faced its third consecutive conversion attempt on fourth down, but this time the Vikings were successful as Grooms connected with Fleming on a 32-yard pass play for the score to cut the Cannon County lead to 20-14.

The Vikings were successful on the ensuing onside kick as Monroe recovered the ball to give Community good position as the third quarter ended.

A 24-yard pass play from Grooms to Rivera highlighted the drive as the Vikings faced a first-and-goal from the 5-yard line.

After a holding penalty, Grooms connected with Fleming on third down from 19 yards out to tie the game at 20-20.

On the try for two, the pass from Grooms sailed over the head of a leaping Chris Martin, but Miller was nearby to catch the ball and put Community up 22-20 with 10:14 to play.

"It's a concept we've got. One's at the front pylon and one's at the back pylon," Grooms said.

"If we do overshoot one, the other one's there to get it."

With the lead, the inspired Viking defense once again stepped to the plate.

On fourth down and one, the Lions went for the first down from midfield, but Martin stopped the Cannon County runner in his tracks to give Community possession.

A Rivera run for 14 yards and a Lion penalty helped give the Vikings a first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. On fourth down, Rivera broke Lion tackles to score from four yards out to give Community a 28-20 lead with 2:54 remaining.

The bubble appeared to burst for the Vikings as the Lions ran 64 yards for an apparent score on their next possession, but a holding penalty brought the play back.

Cannon County could not complete a fourth down conversion attempt as the Vikings went to the victory formation to close out the win.

The Community defense played lights out in the second half.

"We talked at halftime that the score is 0-0 and to keep it that way," Grooms said.  "You can see on the scoreboard we didn't give up a touchdown in the second half."

Community travels to Eagleville for a Region 5-2A matchup next Friday night at 7 p.m.        

Community     8  0  6  14 — 28

Cannon Co.   14  6  0    0 — 20

First Quarter

CC – Brenden Reed 52 run, (Jack Byford kick), 11:50.

CC – Conner Tucker 1 run, (Byford kick), 6:14.

C – Maki Fleming 77 pass from Dallas Grooms, (Grooms run), 5:50.

Second Quarter

CC – Reed 6 run, (run failed), 10:19.

Third Quarter

C – Fleming 32 pass from Grooms, (run failed), 1:24.

Fourth Quarter

C – Fleming 19 pass from Grooms, (McCade Miller pass from Grooms), 10:14.

C – C.J. Rivera 4 run, (run failed), 2:54.