Tigers avenge loss to stay alive

What a difference nine weeks make. Republic avenged a season-opening loss to Branson in its first-round district game, pulling away in the second half for a 34–9 victory. Branson had spoiled opening night at Republic’s new stadium with a late touchdown to win 19–13.
The district game started with a similar feel. The Tigers committed several penalties, turned the ball over, and failed to score until late in the second quarter. But Branson was mistake-prone, as well, and and the Tigers finally broke the scoreless tie with a big play on special teams.
With 5:08 remaining in the first half, Jaden DuVall returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown, tucking the ball just inside the pylon on the right end of the goal line to put Republic ahead. The extra point made the score 7–0.
“We kind of struggled with some things early. We made some mistakes and penalties. I was thinking ‘Here we go again,’” said coach Dustin Baldwin. “[In the] second quarter, Jaden’s punt return really got us sparked on both sides of the ball. We started executing a little better.”
The Tigers scored again a few minutes later after Branson turned the ball over on downs. Lucas Hayes finished off a 74-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to make it 13–0. The extra point was no good.
Branson scored its first points of the night just before halftime on a field goal by Justice Webber, and Republic led 13–3 at half.
The Tigers extended their lead with 3:17 remaining in the third quarter. Riley Sigman scored on a one-yard run to extend the score to 20–3. Early in the fourth quarter, Republic went on a long drive to put the game away. The Tigers marched 80 yards, scoring on a shovel pass from quarterback Lucas Hayes to running back Louis Wallace. Wallace’s touchdown and the ensuing extra point made the score 27–3.
The final score for the Tigers occurred with 5:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. Lucas Hayes hit Cam Flood for a 28-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 34–3. Branson scored its only touchdown of the night with just 20 seconds remaining, accounting for the final margin.
Baldwin said the big change in Republic’s play between the first and second halves was the elimination of mistakes.
“Sometimes that’s all it comes down to, is [to] do the basic things we practice every day and don’t make mistakes,” Baldwin said.
Hayes finished the game with 110 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, with six completions in 10 attempts. He also rushed for 44 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries.
Riley Sigman ran for 59 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Republic advanced to play Carthage on the road Friday. Carthage beat Republic 42–26 in the season’s seventh week.
 

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
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