Republic moved the ball down the field in the first half without much to show for it. But the Tigers turned their offensive success into points in the second half, exploding for four touchdowns in the third quarter on the way to a 35-0 win at Joplin.
The Tigers led 7-0 at halftime after a couple of mistakes kept them out of the end zone. But they scored touchdowns on their first four possessions of the second half. Nolan Lashley opened the third quarter with a 34-yard touchdown run, and the Tigers ran for 422 yards while holding Joplin to 122.
Joplin quarterback Trenton McCadney ran for 88 yards and kept the Eagles on the field for much of the first half. Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said that was how Joplin had stayed in the game against Nixa and Carthage…