A muffed snap on an extra point cost Republic in a 22-21 road loss at Willard Friday. Trailing by seven points, the Tigers had driven 65 yards in a little over a minute to answer Willard’s go-ahead touchdown with three minutes remaining. Republic scored on a 45-yard pass from Zach Hall to Dillen Ramsey with 1:57 to go.
The game was a coming-out party of sorts for Ramsey, who caught three passes for 73 yards, including the touchdown. Another reception put the Tigers in striking distance for one of their other touchdowns. He also hauled in a two-point conversion earlier in the game, as he tiptoed along the back of the end zone to stay in bounds. On defense, he had one sack and two other tackles in the backfield.
Republic scored first on a five-yard touchdown pass from Hall to Jacob Dickens. They converted for two points, and led 8-0.
Willard answered when ZaKorey Barr caught a pass and scampered 38 yards to the end zone, making the score 8-8, which was the score at halftime.
In the 3rd quarter, Willard went ahead on a one-yard run by Tanner Moore, putting them up 15-8.
In the 4th quarter, Republic caught a break when Willard was driving for another touchdown. The ball came loose, Tryston Ellison picked it up at the 30 yard line, and ran it back 70 yards to the the game at 15.
Willard’s Barr put Willard back in front with three minutes left on a seven-yard touchdown run, setting up the final frantic minutes.
Republic’s Zach Hall was 7-for-11 for 122 yards passing. The rushing game struggled to get momentum. Colton Peltz ran the ball eight times for 43 yards.
Barr led Willard with 128 yards rushing on 23 carries. He added 47 yards receiving.
Willard is now 5-2. Republic falls to 2-5. They’ll meet Neosho next Friday at home.
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