Republic finally put together a complete game on both sides of the ball, dominating Joplin 38-15 Friday at home. The Tigers used a bruising run game to control the ball all night, while the defense shut down Joplin’s athletic playmakers.
Republic picked off three passes and recovered a fumble, and they were barely even on the field. In all, the Tigers’ offense possessed the ball for nearly 36 minutes — or three full quarters of the game. Republic rushed for 413 yards, led by quarterback Wyatt Woods, who gained 214. Fullback Kanon Krol rushed for 147 yards on 31 carries.
“Aw yeah, that’s good American football,” Krol said of the ball-control game. Even as he approached 30 carries, Krol said he didn’t feel tired. “My guys are still blocking up front. I like it — keep on running it down their throat.”
Republic led 16-7 at halftime, and could have led by more. The game opened with a defensive stop by Republic that included a sack by Logan Hunt and Caden White. After a Joplin punt, Republic drove 45 yards on eight plays, scoring on a 13-yard touchdown run by Woods. Mason Cole’s extra point made the score 7-0 with 6:16 left in the first quarter.
Joplin scored to tie the score on its next drive, going 62 yards in seven plays. A 23-yard touchdown pass from Hobbs Gooch to Cordell Washington evened the score 7-7.
Republic put together a long drive but fell short of the end zone on its next possession. But after turning the ball over on downs on the Joplin five-yard line, the Eagles made the first big mistake of the night. The ball went through the hands of Gooch and he had to chase it to the back of the end zone, where Braydin Casey was there to force the safety. Republic led 9-7 with 10:10 left in the second quarter.
The Tigers scored again with 1:43 left in the half on a one-yard run by Krol. The extra point made it 16-7.
Republic’s defense made a big play as time wound down in the half. Joplin threatened to score before the break, driving to the 13-yard line, but Brady Lewis picked off a pass in the end zone to snuff out the threat.
The Tigers got the ball first in the second half and immediately put their pounding run game to good use. They drove 64 yards on nine plays, finishing with a three-yard run by Krol. A two-point conversion pass to James Rexroat from Wyatt Woods put Republic ahead 24-7 with 7:20 left in the third quarter.
A Joplin fumble, forced by Cam Allen and recovered by Logan Hunt, gave Republic the ball back. Wyatt Woods got loose and scampered 43 yards for a touchdown to make the score 31-7. Cannon Ellison sprung Woods loose with a good down-field block that keyed the touchdown run.
Joplin scored its only touchdown of the second half with 2:30 left in the third quarter. A 31-yard touchdown pass to Davin Thomas from Gooch and a two-point conversion cut Republic’s lead to 31-15.
Republic put the game away with one more punishing drive. The Tigers drove 80 yards in 14 plays, eating up more than six minutes of clock. They scored on a two-yard run by Krol to take a 38-15 lead, and that’s where it ended. Joplin’s last two drives ended in interceptions — one by Lewis and one by Lester.
Republic out-gained Joplin 444 yards to 312. In addition to Krol and Woods, Daniel Phillips and Caide White combined for about 50 yards rushing. Cannon Ellison had one catch for 26 yards.
The Tigers improve to 5-1 and Joplin falls to 3-3. Republic travels to Branson next week.
