Republic avoided a letdown after its biggest win in years at Nixa, handling Carl Junction at home on Senior Night, 35-17. Republic got two touchdown runs from fullback Kanon Krol and two from quarterback Wyatt Woods. Woods also connected with James Rexroat for a touchdown pass, as the Tigers pulled away from the Bulldogs in the second half.
Republic outgained Carl Junction 429 yards to 235. The Tigers had 347 rushing yards and 82 yards through the air against a stout Bulldog defense that excels against the run.
“I felt like the kids came out and played hard and played well,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen. “That was a good football team. I’ve known all year it was going to be a tough matchup (because) they’re really good against the run. As a whole, that’s a really quality win for us.”
Two lost fumbles by Republic and a slew of penalties kept the game closer than it might have been otherwise, but Cornelsen said his players kept their composure. “We’re not panicking. We’re just playing the game. Our body language is good.”
After Nixa moved the ball up and down the field against Republic last week, Cornelsen said the defense turned in a big improvement. “I thought the defense played much better. There at the end, we missed a bunch of tackles, but we’ve got a lot of guys undersized who are playing 100 miles an hour, and they just wear down a little bit, so that’s going to happen in the later part of the game.”
Republic led 21-10 at halftime. The Tigers scored first on a 19-yard touchdown run by Woods with 3:25 left in the first quarter. The drive started on Republic’s 48-yard line after Republic partially blocked a Carl Junction punt. Carl Junction took advantage of a Woods fumble to score its first points early in the second quarter. They drove 72 yards and kicked a field goal to make the score 7-3.
Republic followed that up with a 67-yard drive that involved eight plays. It ended on a 26-yard touchdown pass from Woods to Rexroat with 4:57 left in the 2nd quarter, and Republic led 14-3.
Carl Junction answered with a four-play, 80-yard drive that cut the lead back to four. A 29-yard run by Johnny Starks made it 14-10.
A score on the next Republic drive pushed the lead to 21-10. The Tigers marched 71 yards in eight plays, scoring on a one-yard run by Krol with :33 left.
In the second half, Republic was moving the ball on its first drive, but another Woods fumble gave it back to Carl Junction. The Bulldogs, though, fumbled it right back, and Republic took advantage. The Tigers scored on a nine-play, 51-yard drive, capped by another one-yard run by Krol, to lead 28-10. Their next drive, after a defensive stop, lasted 14 plays, went 64 yards, and ended with a four-yard TD run by Woods. That made the score 35-10.
Carl Junction scored one more touchdown with 2:13 remaining to cut the Republic lead to 35-17, and that was the final.
Woods rushed for 111 yards and two TDs on 16 carries. Krol rushed for 92 yards on 17 carries. He also scored two touchdowns. Connor Sandridge was over 100 yards, rushing for 106 on 16 attempts. Gunner Ellison gained 24 yards on six carries. Ellison also had two catches for 56 yards, including a 40-yard catch inside the five yard line as he was falling backwards. Rexroat caught one pass — the touchdown — for 26 yards.
Republic honored its senior class before the game.
“A lot of those guys played last year, and a lot of them have played this year, and we’ve worked hard at it. They started before I even lived here. We started working and we worked all summer for two summers now, and before school all year long. So this group, not just our seniors, but all of our kids, they’re paying a price to be successful,” Cornelsen said. “It makes me proud, and I hope it makes our community proud of them — that they’re successful, but also… they paid a price to be able to win those games. That’s good leadership. They’re hopefully setting the tone for us, not only this year, but as we move forward.”
Republic improves to 6-3. The Tigers will be at home next week against Springfield Parkview. (Edited to note opponent.)
