Republic took the ball away from Neosho four times on turnovers Friday night. But they also gave it back on four turnovers of their own. And two two late scores turned a close game into a big win for Neosho, 40-16.
The biggest play of the game came early in the 4th quarter, after Republic had cut the Neosho lead to 27-16. The Tiger defense had Neosho facing a 3rd and 12, and a stop would have given Republic more momentum with plenty of time to get back in the game. But Tyler Rathman broke a couple of tackles and rushed 35 yards for a touchdown, giving Neosho a 34-16 lead and putting the game away for the Wildcats.
Neither team could hang onto the ball early in the game. The first quarter featured six turnovers — three fumbles by Republic, and two fumbles and an interception by Neosho. Twice, Republic forced a Neosho turnover, only to give the ball right back on the very next play.
Republic used one of the early Neosho turnovers to take a 1st-quarter lead. Garrett Metscher recovered a fumble and the Tigers marched 43 yards, scoring on a run by Ryan Sifferman. The 2-point conversion made it 8-0.
Neosho answered quickly, tying the game with 5:15 left in the 1st quarter on a run by Blake Stauffer and a 2-point conversion of its own. Another Stauffer run made it 15-8, and a 5-yard touchdown by Ryan Manuel made it 21-8 at halftime.
Neosho scored first in the 2nd half to take a 27-8 lead, on a 25-yard run by Sam Parks, with 9:31 left in the 3rd quarter.
Republic answered a short time later on a 3-yard plunge by Camry Cowan, cutting the lead to 27-16. The defense appeared to have Neosho stopped on a 3rd and 12 when Rathman’s 35-yard run put the game effectively out of reach.
The Tigers had 194 total yards — 148 on the ground, and 46 through the air. Ryan Sifferman had 69 rushing yards, including a touchdown, and added four catches for 29 yards. Jacob Cooper rushed 11 times for 36 yards, and Cowan rushed 5 times for 30 yards and a touchdown.
The two teams combined for eight turnovers.
Neosho improves to 2-1, and Republic falls to 1-2.
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