Republic spotted underdog West Plains two touchdowns, but came back to win in the final two minutes, 30-27. The win clinches a playoff spot for the Tigers, who will face Hillcrest next week for the district championship.
Jake Laswell carried the ball 32 times for 171 yards and four touchdowns. His biggest score came after the Tigers had surrendered the lead late in the 4th quarter. With Republic trailing 27-23, Laswell punched ball into the end zone from three yards out for the winning score.
The victory was in doubt several times, including the early part of the first quarter. The Tigers fumbled the ball on their first two plays from scrimmage, setting up two easy West Plains touchdowns, and the Zizzers jumped to a 14-0 lead.
Republic finally got the ball moving in the 2nd quarter, and responded with their first touchdown. Laswell scored on a 1-yard run, and the 2-point conversion made it 14-8 West Plains. That was the score at halftime.
Republic scored two touchdowns in the 3rd quarter to take the lead, and looked like they would pull away. The first one came after a 31-yard run by Laswell set up his 1-yard TD plunge a play later. That gave the Tigers a 16-8 lead, with a 2-point conversion.
Laswell scored again with about four minutes left in the quarter, and the lead was 23-14. But West Plains wasn’t finished.
The Zizzers scored with 10:11 left in the game to cut the lead to 23-21. The West Plains defense got a stop, then blocked Republic’s punt, picked it up, and ran it back 35 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. They led 27-23 with 7:24 left in the game.
Republic took the ball on the next possession, and looked like they would re-take the lead. But they fumbled inside the 10-yard line, and West Plains recovered.
The Zizzers needed only to pick up a couple of first downs to run out the clock, but they fumbled the ball right back three plays later. The Tigers took advantage of the opportunity, giving the ball to Laswell until he scored the game-winner.
Republic improves to 4-5. The Tigers play at Hillcrest next Thursday with the district title on the line. The winner will host a first-round playoff game, and the loser will be on the road for the first round.
