Republic used a powerful rushing attack to overwhelm Willard 35-7 Friday night. The Tigers gained 345 yards on the ground, led by Izaiah Hull’s 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Republic’s offense struggled early against a familiar Willard defensive front.
“They’re pretty good up front,” Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said. “That’s probably my fault in the fact that’s four or five games we haven’t played well against (Willard). It’s been the same D-line. Three of them were back from a year ago, and they’ve done a good job putting it on us.”
After a slow start that included a fumble and a punt, Republic’s offense found its footing with a 16-play, 68-yard drive. Mason Fleetwood capped it with a three-yard touchdown run, and Elijah Phiri’s extra point made it 7-0.
Hull broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run with 5:58 remaining in the second quarter, pushing the lead to 14-0. The Tigers added another score just before halftime when Trenten Coleman connected with Cannon Ellison on an 11-yard touchdown pass. That drive was set up by Ellison’s 14-yard run on a reverse.
“The second quarter I felt like we did a little better job, found ways to score and get up enough that I think we took a little pressure off and were able to play a little better the second half,” Cornelsen said.
Republic continued its dominance after halftime. Fleetwood scored his second touchdown on a 21-yard run with 6:30 left in the third quarter, finishing an eight-play, 50-yard drive. Hull added his second touchdown on a five-yard run late in the third quarter, making it 35-0.
Cornelsen said the Tigers’ running game eventually found success but needs more variety. “We felt like we only had a couple plays that were working. You like to think you have a lot more than that,” he said. “We’ve got to get where we can stay balanced.”
Republic’s defense controlled Willard’s ground game throughout the night, forcing them to rely on their passing attack.
“I felt like that was two games back-to-back that our defense played extremely well. It was a good plan,” Cornelsen said. “We thought they’d run it more than that, and so we were pretty heavy on the run and they kind of went away from it quick.”
Willard scored its only touchdown against Republic’s reserves in the fourth quarter.
Fleetwood finished with 79 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries. Coleman added 46 yards on 10 rushes. Republic outgained Willard 353-181 in total yards.
Republic finishes the regular season 7-2. The Tigers will host Springfield Central (0-9).