CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — Carl Junction lost its final game in the Central Ozark Conference after Republic built an early multi-score lead and never relinquished it en route to a 26-0 win over the Bulldogs on Friday.
Republic blanked Carl Junction in the first half while putting the ball into the end zone three times after converting on a pair of long, time-consuming drives before punching it in with a passing score right before the half to lead 19-0 at the intermission.
Republic played keep away from the Bulldogs in the second half to preserve the shutout on the way to the win.
Carl Junction closes the regular season with a 1-8 record and finishes as the third seed in the Class 4 District 7 standings.
Republic took the opening series and marched down the field before RB Kanon Kroll carried the ball across the goal line from a yard out with 6:33 to play for a 7-0 lead.
Kroll added another short-yardage touchdown to cap a methodical drive to push the lead to 13-0 in the back half of the second quarter.
Republic went to the air late in the first half to find points, as QB Wyatt Woods found TE James Rexroat for a 21-yard touchdown pass on a fade with one second left in the half to take a 19-0 advantage into the intermission.
Republic scored one more time late when Caide White scored from 2 yards out to push the lead to 26-0 with 5:22 left in the game.
