By Don Abernathy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Much like two heavyweight boxers, Republic and Ozark spent the first round Thursday night trying to get a feel for the other. Defense held the advantage early on, as neither team could mount an offensive threat.
But as the second quarter started the passing game opened up for Republic, then the running game began to work, and the defense continued its dominance as Republic slugged it way to a 41-14 Central Ozark Conference victory at Ozark.
“For us to win games in this conference, we’ve really got to be balanced,” Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said.
“We’re not huge up front, and we feel like we need balance to have a chance to win consistently.”
Late in the first quarter, Republic’s offense caught a spark from it’s passing game when Republic senior quarterback Wyatt Woods connected with senior tight end James Rexroat for a 61-yard completion to the Ozark 9-yard line.
“I felt like it was really important to get the passing game going because you can’t just do one thing as a team and be successful,” Rexroat said.
Woods scored two plays later on a 6-yard quarterback keeper off the right guard for an early 6-0 lead.
“After the first couple of drives, our O-line did a great job of picking up what their defense was doing, and that was the difference,” Woods said.
“We just stayed true to what we do.”
Ozark answered on the ensuing possession with a big passing play of its own. Sophomore Peyton Russell hit junior Sam Clark over the top of the Republic defense for a 43-yard touchdown and a 7-6 lead.
Trailing Ozark on its next possession, Republic focused on a ground game that methodically moved down the field and chewed up most of the second quarter clock.
The 15-play, 80-yard drive consisted of only runs as Woods had 10 rushes alone, including the 1-yard score for a 14-7 lead.
On its very next possession after forcing a three-and-out, Republic senior Daniel Phillips broke free running off of left tackle for a 94-yard touchdown and a 20-7 lead at the 3:29 mark of the second quarter.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
“Our defense really showed out tonight and honestly I think they are the reason we are winning games,” Rexroat said.
Republic scored once more before the half thanks to another big play from Woods to Rexroat.
“It’s always nice when you have a vertical threat and you’re able to complete some passes,” Cornelsen said.
“We wanted to loosen them up a little bit defensively and we made sure they honored it.”
Woods hit Rexroat for a 46-yard gain, setting Republic up at the Ozark 2-yard line with under a minute left before halftime.
“James is great, they played man on him early, and then they started double teaming him, which made it tricky to get him the ball,” Woods said.
“When you have a receiver like James, you just have to get him the ball somehow.”
Senior running back Kanon Krol punched it across from 2-yards out to give Republic a commanding 27-7 halftime lead.
Ozark took the ball after halftime and went 74 yards in 10 plays for a score. Senior running back Jack Bowers scored on a 2-yard run to cut the Republic lead to 27-14, but that’s as close as Ozark would get.
A 14-yard touchdown run from senior Caide White put Republic up 34-14 near the end of the third quarter.
Woods found tight end Cory Craigmyle for a 32-yard touchdown pass with 8:57 left in the game as Craigmyle tip-toed in the end zone around the right pylon for the game’s final score.
Phillips had a game-high 117 yards rushing on six carries and Woods totaled 84 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns for Republic.
Clark racked up a game-high 102 yards receiving on five catches and a score while Russell finished 9-for-16 passing for 173 yards and a touchdown in the loss for Ozark.
