SPRINGFIELD — The penultimate week of high school football in Southwest Missouri may have been the best to date.
The Springfield area saw walk-off field goals, ranked victories, and wild overtime games. Here’s everything that happened in Week 8 action on Friday, Oct. 16.
Republic earns emphatic win in ranked battle
Republic (7-1) hosted Carthage (6-2) in a highly anticipated game. No. 3 Republic toppled No. 2 Carthage 26-22 in a back-and-forth matchup.
This is Republic’s second-only win over Carthage in 20 attempts since 2010.
Carthage’s Tate Nichols scored a rushing touchdown to put Carthage ahead 22-19. On the ensuing kickoff, Alex Johnson dropped the ball at the 1-yard line. He picked it up and broke several tackles, leading to a 99-yard touchdown to put Republic ahead for good, 26-22.
Carthage then drove down to the 10-yard line. Republic’s defense held firm, forcing a turnover on downs with less than four minutes left. Republic’s offense kept the ball for the remainder of the game, sealing the victory.
Republic running back Nolan Lashley scored three touchdowns, breaking the school’s season-record touchdown record. All of his rushing touchdowns were inside the 10-yard line. Along with Nichols’ touchdown, Carthage’s Slade Stiffler and Landon West also scored touchdowns.
With the win, Republic remains No. 1 in the district standings. Carthage and Republic could meet again in the district title game later. If this game was any appetizer, the main course will be a delight.
Republic faces Williard (1-7) to end the regular season. A win would let Republic clinch the Central Ozarks West conference title.
Springfield Catholic stakes claim to Mid-Lakes Conference
Springfield Catholic’s undefeated run continues after a last-second victory against Clever.
The Irish (7-0) beat the Bluejays 16-13 on a James Corbett game-winning field goal.
Catholic trailed 7-6 at halftime before coming out victorious. The Irish led 6-0 through a Boston Hartman 24-yard rushing touchdown. Clever’s Kendall Piper scored a short rushing touchdown in the second quarter, giving the home team a slight edge at the break.
In the second half, Piper added another rushing touchdown for Clever. Catholic quarterback Jett Lewis also scored on a rushing touchdown. Corbett’s field goal was the difference-maker in a close Mid-Lakes Conference battle.
Clever will go on the road to face Reeds Spring (2-5) next week. The Bluejays currently sit in second place in the Class 2 District 4 standings behind Lamar (8-0).
With the win, Catholic clinches the Mid-Lakes Conference title. The Irish hold the tiebreaker over second-place Fair Grove (7-1). The Irish can close out the regular season undefeated by defeating Stanford (4-4) next week.
Marionville outlasts Ash Grove in OT shootout
Marionville (6-2) and Ash Grove (5-3) had one of the wildest games in the state. The Comets defeated the Pirates 38-30 in double overtime.
Marionville led 22-14 before chaos ensued with less than two minutes on the clock.
The Pirates forced a Marionville punt, which was ultimately blocked by Ash Grove. Freshman Kooper Long snagged the ball and brought it into the end zone for the touchdown. Ash Grove secured the two-point conversion to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Ash Grove’s Alex Acosta scored a rushing touchdown on the first overtime drive. It gave the Pirates a 30-22 lead. Marionville never wavered, tying the game and sending it into the second extra period. The Comets outlasted Ash Grove to secure the big road win.
This was Marionville’s ninth straight win over Ash Grove. The Comets lead Miller (6-2) for the No. 1 seed in the Class 1 District 3 standings. Ash Grove sits in third place entering the final week.
Southwest Missouri Week 8 schedule
Big Eight Conference
- McDonald County 41, Aurora 34 (2OT)
- East Newton 67, Monett 36
- Lamar 47, Nevada 14
Central Ozark Conference
- Republic 26, Carthage 22
- Glendale 20, Ozark 17
- Joplin 51, Willard 9
- Kickapoo 18, Waynesville 15
- Nixa 49, Lebanon 7
- Neosho 35, Webb City 28
Mid-Lakes Conference
- Forsyth 36, Buffalo 19
- Springfield Catholic 16, Clever 13
- Fair Grove 40, Strafford 0
Southwest Conference
- Marionville 38, Ash Grove 30 (2OT)
- Pierce City 21, Diamond 3
- Miller 22, Skyline 19
- Sarcoxie 43, Stockton 42
Ozark Mountain Conference
- Carl Junction 34, Bolivar 7
- Branson 44, Hillcrest 6
- Logan-Rogersville 21, Marshfield 3
Non-conference
- West Plains 41, Parkview 6
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Breaking down Week 8 Springfield-area high school football action