Our look back at the top stories of the year is sponsored by the Republic Mud Run, southwest Missouri’s only mud run that’s exclusively for youth! The first got Mud? Run will be held Saturday, August 29, at Brookline Park. It will feature three age divisions (5-7, 8-10, and 11-15), with age-appropriate obstacles for each. Get more information at RepublicMudRun.com, or get registered online right now.
#1: Domination!
Rebuilding a losing program is a long, slow process. And the payoff, when it comes, is usually gradual. Sometimes, a team can make it back without much fanfare. One day, everyone just realizes things have gotten better.
But sometimes, when the stars line up just right, it all comes together in a single night–a jubilant coming-out party that signals something has changed. That no matter what happens going forward, things are different now.
That’s what happened in Republic on September 5, 2014, when Republic threw off a decade of frustration against rival Ozark in a 64-22 victory–the best offensive performance in school history. Republic scored 57 points in the first half. That’s eight touchdowns. It all happened so fast that even the black- and orange-clad cheering section got a little exhausted by the end.
The night didn’t count for anything more in the standings than any other win. It didn’t propel the Tigers to a historic season. But it did signal that things were different. It showed Republic–the players, the coaches, the fans–what’s possible. For that, you voted it the #1 story of the year in Republic Tiger Sports.
