Kerik Crouse rushed 32 times for 162 yards as Republic controlled the ball in the 2nd half and beat Marshfield 28-14. The win makes Republic 2-0 as they head into a rivalry game against Ozark at home next week.
The Tigers’ offense opened the game with a touchdown for the second week in a row. This time, it was the passing game that opened things up for the Tigers. James Desjardins completed two long passes to Grant Hancock to loosen up the Marshfield defense, and Colton Peltz scored his third touchdown of the year from five yards out. Jared Baker hit the first of four extra points on the night, and the Tigers nabbed a 7-0 lead.
Marshfield responded with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Logan Findley early in the 2nd quarter to tie the game 7-7.
Later in the quarter, Republic pounded away at the Marshfield defense, handing the ball to Crouse on several straight plays to get deep into Blue Jays territory. James Desjardins scored on a 1-yard run to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead with 2:43 left in the half.
Desjardins had 12 carries for 60 yards and completed five passes for 111 yards.
Early in the 3rd quarter, the Republic ground game asserted its dominance. The Tigers put together a 15-yard drive, mostly on the ground. They capped it with a 23-yard pass from Desjardins to Garrett Metscher.
With less than eight minutes left in the game, Marshfield scored again to make things interesting, cutting the lead to 21-14.
But Beau Allen took the wind out of Marshfield’s sails with a big kickoff return, setting up Republic’s final touchdown. The Tigers scored when Kerik Crouse jumped on a ball in the end zone to make it 28-14 with 6:21 left.
The Tigers defense came away with two interceptions. Josh Vaughn picked off his third pass of the year, and Jake Smith made a diving interception to end a Marshfield drive deep in Republic territory and effectively seal the victory.
Republic will host COC rival Ozark next Friday. Ozark is 1-0 after a blowout win over St. Joseph Benton in Week One.
