Blake Fanning picked off a Neosho pass with 2:30 left to seal an unlikely come-from-behind win as Republic escaped with a 42-34 victory at Neosho Friday. The Tigers trailed 28-14 at halftime, and showed very few signs of life in a lackluster first half. But Republic scored on its first two possessions in the 3rd quarter, while the defense forced three straight three-and-outs by Neosho, turning the tide in the Tigers’ favor.
What happened at halftime?
“There were a few adjustments made, but it was more “get-back-to-basics” adjustments,” says coach Wes Beachler. “We just weren’t blocking some things the way we normally block them. We weren’t playing some techniques correct on defense.
“We just got back to basics, and I appreciate the way the kids responded to that. They just came out and played the way we’re supposed to play in the second half.”
David Feil, who was pressed into action after Jerney Jones went out with an injury, had a huge night. The sophomore rushed for 224 yards, including 205 in the second half. He had touchdown runs of three, 87 and 63 yards.
“David Feil would probably start for a lot of teams, but a lot of teams don’t have a Jerney Jones,” Beachler says. “He’s a great example for our other younger players. He’d like to play more, but instead of bellyaching and complaining and putting his tail between his legs, he comes to practice and works hard, and he got his opportunity tonight and he stepped up in a big game.”
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
The Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game occurred early in the 4th quarter after Neosho had taken a 34-29 lead. The Tigers took over on their own 20 yard line and drove the ball 80 yards on 13 plays. Along the way they overcame a 3rd-and-11, then a 4th-and-goal from the seven yard line. They capped it with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Jake Smith to Garrett Gordon, and took the lead for good.
The Republic defense established itself in the 3rd quarter after spending the first half with its back against the wall. Two bad punts and a blocked punt had given Neosho great field position, with three drives starting inside the Republic 20–including a drive that started on the one yard line.
But the Tigers forced Neosho on their first three possessions after halftime, then came up big when the Tigers needed it most. After Republic seized a 35-34 lead, Neosho drove the ball deep into Republic territory. That’s when Neosho quarterback Nathan Moser rolled to his right and tried to find a receiver inside the ten yard line. Linebacker Blake Fanning read the play, stepped up, and picked it off, snuffing out Neosho’s best chance to win.
“They ran that play a few times so I knew what the quarterback was doing,” says Fanning. “I kind of slow played it, stayed inside, and I saw him look outside. I broke on it and he threw it right in my hands.”
Beachler credited the defense for coming up big after the halftime adjustments.
“I thought Blake Fanning played great in the second half. I thought a lot of guys on defense played great in the second half,” says Beachler. “Injuries are just killing us on defense. We’ve just got to have some kids step up. I thought Jack Geisler played pretty well in place of Bradley Wright tonight.”
Neosho has broken on top with an 80-yard drive the first time they touched the ball. Davin Hames scored on a 14-yard run to make it 7-0.
Republic answered with a three-yard touchdown by Feil after a nine-play, 80-yard drive to make it 7-7.
Neosho scored twice more to make it 21-7 before Jake Smith ran 60 yards for a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-14. The Wildcats got on the board once more at the end of the half to take a 28-14 lead.
In the second half, Republic started with a 10-play 87-yard drive and scored on an 11-yard run by Smith. That cut the lead to 28-21.
On their next possession, Feil broke loose for 87 yards to bring the Tigers to within a point. When Smith mishandled the snap on the extra point attempt, he scrambled to his right and found Garrett Gordon in the end zone to give Republic its first lead at 29-28.
Neosho broke back on top with a 92-yard, seven-play drive, when Moser ran it in from two yards out. The two-point conversion failed and it was 34-29 Neosho.
That’s when Republic put together the biggest drive of the game. Starting at their own 20, the Tigers marched 80 yards on 13 plays. The drive included a 19-yard pass to Jace DuVall on 3rd and 11. Then, facing 4th and goal from the seven yard line, Garrett Gordon went to the ground to catch a pass from Smith in the end zone, giving Republic a 35-34 lead.
Neosho’s last big chance was ended with Fanning’s interception, and Feil went 63 yards to pay dirt on the next Republic drive to extend the lead to 42-34.
With the win, Republic’s record improves to 5-3. Neosho falls to 3-5. Republic is back in action for a Senior Night matchup at home against Nixa next week.
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