Republic’s defense continued to shine and the offense came through down the stretch in a 21-20 homecoming win over Willard Friday. Republic overcame three turnovers and used its ball-control run game to hang on.
“It’s kind of what we’ve been doing. Our defense is stepping up and getting stops. Our offense looks good at times and then we turn it over. We made too many mistakes,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen, who also said he was impressed with his team’s effort. “I was proud of our kids in the second half. Wyatt ran as hard as I’ve seen him run and all the guys were trying. Sometimes we’re trying so hard that we turn it over. A win’s a win, and we’re happy with it. I think we can play better, and we need to fix those penalties and turnovers.”
Republic scored first on its first drive of the game. The Tigers went nine plays and 74 yards, and scored on an eight-yard touchdown run by Kanon Krol. Mason Cole’s extra point made it seven to nothing.
The Republic defense held Willard in check early, but the offense failed to take advantage, turning the ball over on a fumble and an interception on the next two drives.
“Despite being undersized, they find ways to make plays,” Cornelsen said of the defense. “It’s fun to watch. Right now, the defense is winning games for us. We don’t care how we win. We just need to win.”
Willard eventually got on the board after the Republic fumble. They went 54 yards in eight plays, scoring on a six-yard touchdown pass to Kenyon Nixon. Willard missed the extra point and Republic led 7-6.
Republic scored on its next drive on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Woods to James Rexroat. Rexroat caught the ball on the left side of field, cut to the middle, steamrolled a few defenders, and got to the end zone with 2:44 left in the first half.
Willard scored just before halftime after beginning a drive on the 35-yard line. A 40-yard pass to Chaz Amadeo from Russell Roweton on 4th and 9 allowed Willard into the end zone with 16 seconds left in the half. A two-point conversion by Kenyon Nixon tied the game.
In the third quarter, Republic’s defense forced a Willard punt, and the offense went 74 yards in ten plays, scoring on a 10-yard run by Kanon Krol. The extra point put Republic up 21-14.
Willard took advantage of Republic penalties to advance the ball down the field on the next drive. They scored on a one-yard TD run by Roweton, but missed the extra point and trailed 21-20 with 53 seconds left in the third quarter.
Republic had two long, clock-running drives in the fourth quarter to help seal the win. The first drive lasted ten plays, but ended with Krol fumbled the ball around the 20-yard line. The Republic defense forced Willard to punt from midfield, and from there, the offense took over.
With 6:02 remaining, Republic began its final drive. The Tigers hung onto the ball for the remainder of the game, running 14 plays and advancing the down to the ten yard line before time ran out.
“That’s what we have to do to beat good teams. Sometimes we need to take shots, sometimes we need to open it up. But sometimes we need to just move the chains,” Cornelsen said. “We drove down, took the clock, fumbled, then came back and took the whole clock. The offense is getting closer to being able to do that consistently.”
Republic outgained Willard 394 yards to 299. Republic rushed for 348 yards and passed for 46. Willard rushed for 133 yards and passed for 166.
Wyatt Woods completed two passes of three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown. He also threw an interception. He rushed the ball 22 times for 156 yards.
Kanon Krol had 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries. Daniel Phillips ran the ball eight times for 60 yards. Caide White had five carries for 34 yards.
Russell Roweton passed the ball 17 times and completed nine of those passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 63 yards on 12 carries. Gary Walker had 13 carries for 54 yards. Chaz Amadeo caught six passes for 130 yards and a touchdown.
Republic was penalized eight times for 80 yards.
