Anthony Riley ran for 230 yards and Conner Ratcliff added 90 all-purpose yards as Parkview rolled over Republic’s defense in a 27-20 win in the district semifinals Friday. The Vikings took advantage of Republic mistakes at three key moments to advance to the district championship game and end Republic’s season.
The Vikings struck first on their opening play of the game. Anthony Riley busted a tackle in the middle and rumbled 65 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Vikings led 6-0.
Republic answered with a touchdown drive of its own, marching 80 yards in seven plays. Jerney Jones scored on a 16-yard run and Mitchell Heinzler kicked the extra point to make it 7-6 Tigers.
The Tigers got an interception from Blake Fanning and scored again on a six-play, 49-yard drive. Jace DuVall scored on a 21-yard run to make it 14-6.
Parkview answered with a 15-play drive that ended on a five-yard TD run by Riley to cut the lead to 14-13.
On the ensuing Republic drive, the Tigers made their first big mistake. On 3rd and 1, the snap flew over Jake Smith’s head, forcing the Tigers to punt. Parkview responded with an 83-yard drive to take the lead with :32 left in the half, 20-14.
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
Trailing 27-14 late in the 3rd quarter, Republic answered with its biggest drive of the game to stay alive. The Tigers took over on their own 20 yard line, and with time starting to be a factor, went 80 yards in just six plays to cut the lead to 20-14. The drive include a huge play by Zach Dickens on 3rd and 15, when he took a pass from Jake Smith, hurdled over a defender, and picked up a first down to keep the drive alive. Tryston Ellison had a 22-yard run and Smith had a 39-yard run along the way, and Republic scored on a two-yard run by Jerney Jones to get back in the game. The drive was the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game.
Republic was driving for a touchdown early in the 3rd quarter when a second mistake cost the Tigers. After getting stuffed on 3rd and 1, the Tigers were lined up for a 4th down attempt when they were called for delay of game. The penalty pushed them back and forced them pass on 4th down, and the ball fell incomplete.
Parkview answered with another touchdown, driving down the field in eight plays and scoring on a seven-yard run by Riley to take a 27-14 lead.
Republic responded with an 80-yard drive in six plays, ending with a two-yard touchdown run by Jones, to cut the lead to 27-20. The extra point was no good after a bad snap.
Republic’s defense came up with a top and the Tigers had a chance to tie late in the 4th quarter. But a second bad snap sailed over Smith’s head, forcing the Tigers to punt from their own end zone on 4th and 48. Parkview ran out the clock the rest of the way to clinch the win.
Jerney Jones led the Tigers offensively with 131 rushing yards on 20 carries. Parkview held him to 33 yards in the 2nd half. Jace Duvall rushed for 60 yards on ten carries before leaving in the second half with an injury. Jake Smith ran for 29 yards on eight carries. He was also 3-for-5 passing for 50 yards. Zach Dickens had two receptions for 37 yards, and Blake Fanning caught one pass for 13 yards.
Parkview advances to the district championship game against Nixa.
The loss ends Republic’s season at 6-5. It’s the first winning record for a Republic football team since 2007.
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