Football coaches in the Central Ozark Conference voted Republic senior running back Jerney Jones as the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Republic senior offensive lineman Skyler Hale joined Jones on the All-COC first team.
Two other Republic offensive linemen also earned COC honors. Junior Bryan Cole was named to the second team, and senior Adam Butcher earned honorable mention.
Sophomore Riley Watkins was the second-team All-COC quarterback. Zach Dickens and Jack Hayes were both named to the second team as linebackers, along with Tyler Puckett at defensive end.
Defensive back Nick Daigh and defensive tackle Jack Geisler earned honorable mention.
Jones put together a record season in becoming the first Republic player to capture the Offensive Player of the Year honor in the COC Large Division (since the league expanded). He ran for 1,840 yards, shattering the old Republic record set by Blake Cramer in 1985. His most impressive COC performance came against perennial champion Webb City. Jones shredded the Cardinals defense for 246 yards and two touchdowns on only 13 carries.
