The Republic Tigers saved their best performance of the regular season for their last game, pushing a talented Nixa team into the 4th quarter before losing 28-7 on the road. Nixa’s Kyle Robillard turned in the biggest play of the night for the Eagles, picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown to give them a 21-7 lead in the 4th quarter, seizing the momentum from Republic.
Coach Wes Beachler says despite the loss, his team played the way he envisioned them playing when he saw them working in the weight room and at camp during the summer.
“I think we were very physical. I’ve said that a lot this year, and I think we were the more physical team tonight. I don’t think anyone would dispute that,” he says. “I’m proud of our kids, proud of the way we played.”
Republic racked up 314 total yards against the Nixa defense, and had a chance to tie the game in the 4th quarter, driving deep into Nixa territory before the Eagles defense snuffed out the drive.
A few plays later, the interception thrown by Zach Hall was a blemish on what was otherwise a solid start for the senior. Hall was 9 for 13 passing for 110 yards and a touchdown. He had connected with Dillen Ramsey for the Tigers’ lone score in the 2nd quarter, when Ramsey hauled in a pass and rumbled 63 yards to the end zone. That score had pulled Republic within a touchdown at 14-7, and the score stayed there until Robillard’s interception in the 4th quarter.
Jace DuVall shouldered a big load for the Tigers on the ground, carrying the ball 14 times for 91 yards. James Desjardins carried the ball 18 times for 69 yards. Colton Peltz added five carries for 34 yards for Republic.
“I think sometimes it takes a little while to change a mindset that certain teams are out of our reach,” Beachler says. “I don’t think we believe that anymore, and I look for good things down the road from this football team. Not only next week, but in future years, because now I think we’ve wiped out the fact that certain teams are unattainable. I think we’re going to go after people.”
The difference offensively for Nixa was running back Alec Murphy, who had a big night. He carried the ball 23 times for 167 yards. Nixa’s Dawson Mills added 139 passing yards for the Eagles.
Nixa broke on top on their first drive, when Murphy scored from nine yards out to make it 7-0. They scored again on a two-yard run by Mills at the end of the 1st quarter to make it 14-0.
The Tigers scored less than a minute into the 2nd quarter to make it 14-7, and the score stayed that way until the 2nd half.
Nixa threatened in the 3rd quarter when Murphy’s 50-yard run got the Eagles inside the 5 yard line of the Tigers, but a Nixa fumble was recovered by Republic in the end zone to keep the score within a touchdown. The defenses traded stops before Robillard’s interception put Nixa in the driver’s seat. A late Nixa touchdown in the final two minutes accounted for the final score.
Nixa improves to 8-1. The Tigers fall to 3-6, and will be on the road for their district game next week.
“I feel very satisfied,” Beachler says. “It’s odd, looking at the final score, but I really thought we moved the ball down the field, they had a tough time moving the ball down the field, and I think we took a big step forward for the program tonight.”