Republic racked up 445 total yards of offense and held Branson to just 266, as the Tigers finished their regular season with a 34-28 win on the road. Landon Porter did a little bit of everything, catching three passes for 83 yards and rushing for 65 yards and a touchdown lead the Tigers. And the Tiger defense turned in another solid performance, shutting down Branson in several key situations to preserve the victory.
After Republic opened the game by recovering an onside kick, the Tiger offense failed to take advantage. Neither team did anything on its first drive, but Branson got on the board first on a 46-yard touchdown run by Christian Berumen. The extra point made it 7-0.
Republic answered on its next possession, driving 74 yards in five plays. The Tigers scored when Buford got loose behind the defense and caught a 59-yard pass from Beckner. Jared Hughes’ extra point made it 7-7.
After Branson blocked a Republic punt and took advantage of a short field to regain the lead, the Tigers pulled even again with 5:58 left in the first half. Moody led this drive, as the Tigers went 62 yards in seven plays and scored on Moody’s three-yard run. The drive also included a 25-yard run by Josh Sterling.
Republic went ahead for the first time on its next possession when Porter took the ball on a sweep, got to the left sideline, and turned on the jets to beat the defense to the end zone. After two offside penalties against Branson put the ball inside the one yard line, coach Dustin Baldwin elected to try the two-point conversion, but it failed, leaving the score 20-14 at half.
The offense continued its momentum after halftime, scoring on a 7-play, 51-yard drive to take a 26-14 lead. A 15-yard TD run by Moody capped the drive, but the point after was blocked. Branson answered with a 52-yard drive of its own, cutting the lead to 26-21 with 4:28 left in the third quarter.
Republic scored on its fourth consecutive possession to push the lead to two scores. A six-yard run by Moody put the Tigers back on top 32-21, and the two-point conversion – a pass from Beckner to Josh Sterling, made it 34-21.
Branson took advantage of one of Republic’s few defensive mistakes of the night on the very next play. The Pirates threw it over the top of the defense for a 64-yard touchdown reception by Brady Blackwell, and the extra point cut the lead to 34-28. But Republic’s defense got two more stops, including one that snuffed out a potential game-winning drive by the Pirates, to secure the win.
Gavyn Beckner threw for 194 yards and a touchdown, completing six of nine passes. Avery Moody rushed 118 yards and three TDs. Chase Buford had 111 yards receiving, and Josh Sterling contributed 49 rushing yards.
The Tigers improve to 3-6. The win secures home field advantage next week for the opener of district play, when Republic will be hosting Branson. Branson falls to 3-6. By virtue of Republic’s head-to-head win, the Tigers are assured of passing Branson in the standings, no matter the district point totals.
