UNIONVILLE -- The Community Middle Vikings could not overcome a potent Forrest Rocket ground attack as the Vikings suffered a 44-16 loss to the Rockets Thursday night.

The Rockets went up 6-0 midway through the first quarter as Nick McClendon scored on a 42-yard run.

Community continued to have no answer for McClendon as he scored again on an 11-yard run just before the end of the quarter to give the Rockets a 12-0 lead.

A 16-yard run in the second quarter by Cole Villazon, plus a 28-yard scamper by McClendon gave Forrest a 24-0 lead at the intermission.

The Rockets added another touchdown late in the third quarter as Blaze Sweeney scored on a 3-yard run to give Forrest a 31-0 lead.

Viking fans had something to cheer about early in the fourth quarter as C. J. Rivera scored on a 34-yard run to put Community on the board. Rivera's 2-point conversion left Forrest with a 31-8 lead.

Joseph Whitaker scored on a 6-yard run for the Rockets to up their lead to 37-8.

On the ensuing kickoff, Rivera went down the right side to complete a 71-yard run and a Viking touchdown. Rivera added the 2-point conversion as Community cut the Forrest lead to 37-16.

Villazon completed the Forrest scoring with a 63-yard run.

The Vikings host intra-county rival Cascade Thursday night, while the Rockets host Liberty. Both games kickoff is at 6:30 p.m.

Forrest 12 12 7 13 - 44

Community 0 0 0 16 - 16

First Quarter

F -- Nick McClendon 42-yard run (run failed) 4:01.

F -- McClendon 11-yard run (run failed) 0:22.

Second Quarter

F -- Cole Villazon 16-yard run (run failed) 6:41.

F -- McClendon 28-yard run (run failed) 2:06.

Third Quarter

F -- Blaze Sweeney 3-yard run (Dalton Colvin kick) 1:18.

Fourth Quarter

C -- C. J. Rivera 34-yard run (Rivera run) 7:50.

F -- Joseph Whitaker 6-yard run (run failed) 4:20.

C -- Rivera 71-yard kickoff return (Rivera run) 4:05.

F -- Villazon 63-yard run (Colvin kick) 3:13.