Joplin had seven first-half possessions and scored seven first-half touchdowns, and that’s the kind of night it was for Republic in a 55-17 loss on homecoming night. The state-ranked, Class 6 Eagles blasted the Tigers, piling up more than 325 yards in the first half.
Joplin scored three touchdowns before Republic got on the board. The Tigers’ only score came at the end of a 12-play, 79-yard drive. Lucas Hayes ran the ball into the end zone from 14 yards out to make the score 21-7, but that was as close as the Tigers would get.
Republic tried two on-side kicks in the first half. The first one, to open the game, set up Joplin with a short field on its opening touchdown drive. The second one, after Republic’s first touchdown, gave the Tigers a glimmer of hope – but only momentarily. Joplin bobbled the kick and Easton Prevo jumped on the ball. Officials initially indicated Republic had possession, but they eventually ruled that Prevo had been out of bounds by the time he recovered.
Joplin scored quickly after that, then scored three more times before halftime to make the score 49-7. The Eagles scored once late in the game to account for the final margin.
Republic had one other touchdown called back in the second half. A pass over the middle to Claye White was complete, and he broke a couple of tackles on a nifty run to the end zone, but Republic was flagged for having an ineligible man downfield.
Lucas Hayes completed five of ten passes for 45 yards. He carried the ball 13 times for 48 yards and Republic’s only touchdown. Riley Sigman carried the ball 16 times for 73 yards. The Tigers compiled 178 total yards.
Joplin had 412 yards total. Isaiah Davis rushed the ball ten times for 165 yards and four touchdowns.
Coach Dustin Baldwin summed it up succinctly after the game: “They’re pretty talented. They’re good. We’ve got to get better.”
Joplin remains undefeated. Republic falls to 1-3 and will host Willard next week.
Before the game, Republic crowned Lyndsey Gill as 2019 homecoming queen.
