Tigers capitalize on Branson mistakes in homecoming win

Homecoming queen and king Monet simmons and Gage Fisher. (Photo by Steve Rackley-Flat Top Photos)

Gunner Ellison gathers in the ball for a touchdown in the back of the end zone.  (Photo by Steve Rackley-Flat Top Photos)

Republic took advantage of great field position on two different occasions in the first half, scoring on two-yard and 11-yard drives, setting the stage for a 33–21 victory on homecoming night. Wyatt Woods passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another to lead the Tigers.

The game started with a big play by Gavyn Beckner, who picked up a Branson fumble and returned it to the two-yard line. That led to a one-yard touchdown run by Kanon Krol that helped Republic take a 7–0 lead.

After a Branson punt, Republic drove 77 yards on eight plays, finishing with a 29-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Woods to James Rexroat to go up 14–0.

On the next kickoff, Branson fumbled and Republic recovered on the 11-yard line. It didn’t take long for the Tigers to score again. This time it was an 11-yard TD pass from Woods to Gunner Ellison. Republic missed the extra point and led 20–0.

Branson scored its first touchdown with 3:30 remaining in the first half when Cole Matthews connected with Will Thornton for a 30-yard TD pass. That made the score 20–7, where it stood at halftime.

Republic scored on its first possession of the second half, driving 80 yards to set up another one-yard TD run by Krol, his second of the night. Another missed extra point left the score 26–7.

Branson got back into the game with two consecutive touchdowns, one in the third quarter and one in the fourth, to cut the lead to 26–21. The Pirates used a ball-control offense to grind out yards, run the clock, and keep Republic’s offense off the field.

“Our kids just learned what we do to people. When you run that offense… you drain the clock and you keep the chains moving. And that’s what they were doing,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen. “It’s exactly how we try to stay in games that maybe we’re not the better team. They did a good job of executing that plan. We scored quick but it didn’t matter. They kept the ball out of our hands.”

From that point, Republic played its own ball-control game as well as it had all night. The Tigers ate up seven minutes and eight seconds, driving 80 yards on 12 plays. They scored on a three-yard touchdown run by Woods. That made the score 33–21 and effectively put the game away with 2:00 remaining.

Republic out-gained Branson 291 yards to 227. The Tigers rushed for 237 yards and passed for 54. Wyatt Woods was 3-for-6 passing for 54 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for 75 yards and one touchdown on nine carries.

Sandridge carried the ball 11 times for 124 yards. Krol rushed for only 17 yards, but scored two touchdowns. Rexroat and Ellison each had a TD reception.

Republic improves to 4–3. Branson drops to 1–6. The Tigers will travel to Nixa, Friday.

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Lawrence County Record

312 S. Hickory St.
Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
www.lawrencecountyrecord.com

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