The Tigers figured to open up the offense under new head coach Dustin Baldwin. Boy, did they ever, in a 34-24 win over Bolivar to open the season. Republic scored touchdowns on plays of 87, 75, 96, 12, and 79 yards. Riley Watkins racked up 308 yards of offense and Cam Flood added 283 all-purpose yards. The defense forced five turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble, to help secure the victory.
The first key moment of the game came after Bolivar had taken a 7-0 on a four-yard run by Chase Hampton. Cam Flood took the ensuing kickoff at the 13 yard line, split the defense, and sprinted 87 yards to the end zone to tie the game 7-7.
Bolivar kicked a 35-yard field goal to re-take the lead, but Republic nabbed the lead for the first time midway through the 2nd quarter when Jake Jones broke a 75-yard run for a touchdown, making it 14-10. On the Tigers’ next drive, it was a 96-yard pass from Riley Watkins to Flood that gave Republic a 20-10 lead.
A defensive play by Jones — an interception at midfield and long return — set up Republic’s final score before halftime. Watkins punched it in on a 12-yard run to make it 27-10 at the break.
The Tigers got the ball first in the second half and continued the momentum with another score. Watkins and Flood hooked up for another long touchdown play up the left sideline, with Flood scampering 79 yards for a TD to give Republic a 34-10 lead.
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
When the scored, the Tigers scored so quickly that you could scarcely call it a “drive.” But one key score, right before halftime, helped change the complexion of the game. After Jake Jones picked off a pass and returned it to the Bolivar 36 yard line, the Tigers took five plays to punch the ball into the end zone. When Riley Watkins scrambled 12 yards into the end zone, it extended the Tigers’ lead to 27-10 right before halftime, and it was the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game.
That’s when things went sour for the Tigers. They didn’t score again, and Bolivar chipped away at the lead. The Liberators scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion with about three minutes left in the 3rd quarter to make it 34-18. They scored again with 9:20 remaining to make it 34-24, but failed to get the two-point conversion, leaving Republic with a two-score cushion on the scoreboard.
Republic’s defense came up big at key moments, forcing one fumble to snuff out a Liberator scoring threat and stopping several other drives on big 4th-down plays. Jones, Skyler Owen, and Lucas Hayes contributed interceptions to the cause. Jaden Duvall recovered a fumble for the Tigers.
The teams ended up with almost identical total yardage. Bolivar gained 393 yards (133 passing and 260 rushing) and Republic had 382 (211 passing and 171 rushing). Riley Watkins completed 10 of 20 passes for two touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 87 yards. Jones had two carries for 74 yards. Flood had 196 receiving yards in addition to his 87-yard kickoff return.
The Tigers are 1-0, and they play their first home game next week against Carl Junction.