For the second time this season, Republic challenged a top-tier opponent in the first half, then ran out of gas in the second. The Tigers led undefeated, state-ranked Joplin 14-7 in the second quarter, but the Eagles scored 38 unanswered points to win 45-14 at Republic.
Always Wright, the Joplin quarterback, was the big story. He had about 80 percent of the Eagles’ offensive yards. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed twice for 95 yards and another touchdown. The Eagles had 292 total yards to Republic’s 228.
“The first half, I felt like that was probably the best football we’ve played. Even though we were down (21-14 at halftime), I felt like we played really good football other than one or two mental mistakes, which they capitalized on and made big plays on,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen. “We have to earn every yard, and we pounded it. We’ve got to come back with that same energy in the second half, and we just haven’t been able to do that yet.”
The Tigers got the ball first and scored on their opening drive. The big play was a 54-yard touchdown run by Ezekiel Meads, who skipped over a defender in the middle and galloped the rest of the way to the end zone. Gavyn Beckner’s extra point made it 7-0.
Joplin scored to tie it on a two-yard TD run by Quinton Renfro, but Republic scored again on its next drive. It was one of the most impressive offensive displays of the season for the Tigers, who marched it 73 yards on 16 plays, eating 8 minutes and 11 seconds off the clock. They scored on an eight-yard TD run by Connor Sandridge to take a 14-7 lead.
Joplin quickly tied it, and on Republic’s next possession, the Tigers made their first big mistake of the night, fumbling the ball and setting up Joplin’s third score on a touchdown pass by Wright to Bruce Wilbert. The Eagles converted a 4th-and-5 and a 4th-and-12 on the drive.
The second half was all Joplin. After converting another 4th-and-long on their first drive of the half, the Eagles went on to score, going ahead 28-14. They scored two more touchdowns and a field goal on their next three drives.
Meanwhile, Republic’s offense faltered. An injury to Ezekiel Meads left him on the sideline and the Tigers were unable to sustain any momentum. Penalties, including a couple for unsportsmanlike conduct, made matters worse.
“We self-destructed. We had penalties in the second half, (and) we lost our composure,” Cornelsen said. “I’ve got to do a better job making sure they understand that that’s not acceptable. We play our style, whether we’re doing well or not.”
Ezekiel Meads led Republic with 73 yards on eight carries and a touchdown, all in the first half. Sandridge had 11 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. Moody carried the ball 14 times for 47 yards.
Republic turned the ball over three times – two fumbles and an interception – and Joplin did not have a turnover.
Joplin improves to 6-0. The Tigers fall to 3-3. They’re back home next week for homecoming, when they’ll host Carl Junction.
