Republic bolted to a big lead, then responded to Nixa’s furious comeback to beat the Eagles for the first time in eight years, 42-27 at Nixa Friday.
Running back Jerney Jones ran for 204 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries–his biggest workload of the year. Quarterback Riley Watkins had his best passing night of the season– 6 of 9 for 163 yards and two touchdowns.
Note: Comments from coach Wes Beachler, Jerney Jones, and Riley Watkins coming later.
The Tigers took control from the very first play of the game, when Nixa fumbled the opening kickoff and Kyle Singley jumped on the ball. Republic took advantage, scoring a short time later, then scoring again on its next four possessions to build a 35-7 lead in the 2nd quarter.
The Republic barrage began with an eight-yard TD run by Watkins on the first of the game, after Republic had recovered the fumbled kick.
Nixa scored on its next possession on a five-yard run by Jacob Baird. That was the last time they’d move the ball on Republic until the end of the half.
Republic scored on its next two plays from scrimmage — the first an 80-yard run by Jones, and the second on a three-yard run by Jones after Singley recovered his second fumble of the game. With more than 11-minutes left in the second quarter, it was 21-7.
On their next drive, the Tigers scored on the first play of the drive again. This time it was a 49-yard pass from Watkins to Cole Sportsman to make the score 28-7.
The last score of the half, after another 3-and-out by Nixa, came on a 27 yard pass to David Feil, who somehow worked his way around the defender to catch the ball in the end zone on a fourth down play. That was the biggest lead of the night, at 35-7.
A Nixa touchdown late in the second quarter made the halftime score 35-14.
The third quarter belonged to Nixa. The Eagles slowed down the Republic offense, cut the lead to 35-20, then scored again just 22 seconds into the fourth quarter, cutting the lead to 35-27 with 6:10 left.
Republic’s offense revived itself just in time. The Tigers started their next drive on the five-yard line, and a penalty pushed them back to the three. From there, Republic marched 97 yards, scoring on a 1-yard plunge by Jones, to stretch the lead back to 42-27.
The Republic defense got a stop on the next possession, and the offense ran out the clock to secure the win.
The victory should secure the #1 district seed for Republic, which would mean a bye in the first round of district play next Friday. Republic had been #2 behind the Eagles going into Friday.
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
After three straight possessions ended with a punt, Republic had its back against the wall. Nixa had cut a huge lead to eight points, and Republic had the ball on its own three yard line. But a 13-yard run by David Feil got the Tigers breathing room. The very next play, Jerney Jones sprinted for 33 more yards to take the ball to mid-field. With their confidence restored, the Tigers punched the ball into the end zone on a Jerney Jones plunge, making it a two-possession game and essentially putting the game away.
Be listening to our broadcast for the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game! Every week, Rich Miles and David Brazeal will choose the key drive that makes the difference in the outcome.
In addition to the win, it was a big night personally for Jones. He now has 21 touchdown this season, for a total of 126 points. That ties the school record, set by running back Blake Cramer in 1986. Jones has 1,217 rushing yards through nine games.
Watkins also hit a milestone, going over 1,000 yards rushing for the season. He now has 1,023 for the year.
