by Rusty Swift
When Republic looks back on their game against the rival Nixa Eagles they will see the difference between winning and losing often comes down to execution on a few key plays. And in this game – which was delayed over hour due to lightning – Nixa made the plays when they counted and the Tigers did not. The result was a 24-6 loss, dropping Republic to 1-3. The visiting Eagles improved to 4-0.
The Tigers did not get off to a good start, turning the ball over on their second play from scrimmage when Nixa intercepted a halfback pass at the Eagle 46 yard line. The Republic defense, however, stepped up with a big stop on 4th down after the Eagles had made it to the Tiger 34.
The Tiger offense responded with a 66-yard drive, scoring on Jake Jones’ 5 yard run. Riley Watkins had the big play on the drive, breaking loose for a 46-yard run with Republic facing a 3rd and long. The extra point kick was no good.
A good return set up Nixa in good field position. The Eagles put together a 13-play drive that ended with a Nicos Oropeza 2-yard rushing TD. Nixa sophomore Sean Sample booted the extra point giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead.
Republic had a series of miscues in their next possession with the ball. The Tigers went backwards from their own 42-yard line with the help of an illegal shift, an off-sides, and capped off by a blocked punt covered by Nixa on the Republic 20.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever coached in a game where we’ve had more 3rd-and-short mistakes,” says coach Wes Beachler. “We’re in 3rd-and-4 or less four times I remember, we had a penalty that negated a first down or turned the play back into 3rd-and-long.”
The Eagles took 5 plays to punch it in with Rivera keeping the ball on the option for the final 5 yards. Sample’s kick made it 14-6 Nixa.
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
After turning the ball over on their first drive, the Tigers grabbed the momentum the next time they touched the ball. On a 3rd-and-long play, Riley Watkins scrambled 46 yards to set up the Tigers deep in Nixa territory. Jake Jones capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run to give Republic a 6-0 lead. It was the lone offensive bright spot of the night for the Tigers, and it was the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game.
The teams traded possessions before Republic had another promising drive to the Nixa 31 before stalling – this time by an illegal procedure that turned a 3rd and 4 into a 3rd and 9. The Tigers were unable to convert.
With 1:29 left in the half, Nixa took over on their own 41. It appeared Republic’s defense would prevent the Eagles from scoring but Rivera found Oropeza on a play action pass down to the Tiger 25. Two plays later, Nixa added to its lead with a Sample 37-yard field goal, making it 17-6 at the half.
Nixa got the ball to start the second half but quickly turned it over to the Tigers on a fumble at the Eagle 33. Republic got to the Eagle 12, leaving the Tigers with a 3rd and two. A big defensive stop by Nixa left Republic with a 4th and five. And the drive miserably ended with a bad snap that ended up at the 30 yard line.
After the Republic defense forced a three-and-out, the Tigers had another promising drive making it to the Eagle 26. This time a false start proved to be decisive as Republic fell two yards short on 4th down.
“I’d like to play them again and not make those mistakes. I thought we were the more physical team. I thought we executed better at times. Too many mistakes at critical times,” Beachler says. “Whatever can go wrong seems to go wrong. We’ve just got to prepare better, I guess.”
Nixa put together one final scoring drive with the key play coming when facing a 4th and 2, Rivera connected with tight end Alex Allen for a 19-yard gain to the Tiger 9 yard line. Rivera again scored from 5 yards out and Sample’s conversion was good making it 24-6 Eagles.
The Tiger offense had a couple more chances, but was not able to mount a threat.
The Republic defense kept the Nixa running game in check for most of the night – not giving up any big plays. But Eagle quarterback Andrew Rivera had a knack all night long for converting play-action passes into big gains – and at key times in the game.
Jake Jones had a break-out game offensively, racking up 76 yards on 19 carries. Watkins added 53 yards rushing on 12 carries, and was also 6 of 15 passing for 46 yards. Bobby Finley was the only receiver with multiple receptions, and he had two for 17 yards.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers, as a much-improved Ozark comes to town next Friday.
