Republic had the ball six times in the first half, and all six times, the Tigers started inside Parkview territory and punched the ball into the end zone for touchdowns. Add in a touchdown on a recovered fumble, and a safety, and Republic flew to a 48-0 lead at halftime on the way to a 54-0 win at home in the first round of district play.
“When you come into the game and you feel like you’ve got some momentum but the other team hasn’t won, (you want) your kids to focus and execute and realize it’s about what we do and how we play, not about who we play,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen.
Because Republic scored so early and so often, a lot of unfamiliar faces got into the game and made their mark. Sophomore Tryle Cummins led the team in rushing with 49 yards and a touchdown on three carries. Kody Norman scored two touchdown and had seven carries for 44 yards. Aidan Gregory scored his first touchdown when he chased down a bad snap on a Parkview punt attempt, jumping on the ball in the end zone for a score. (It’s the second week in a row the Tigers have recovered a fumble in their opponents’ end zone.)
Cornelsen said it’s rewarding to be able to give more players time on the field on Friday.
“You love it when you can do it. The fact is, everybody works a lot. We put in a lot of time, whether you’re a starter or a backup,” he said. “So my philosophy is, as soon as I can get those guys in, I want to get them in, but then get them success, get them in the end zone and let them make some plays.”
Republic’s first touchdown was Gregory’s recovery of the punt snap in the end zone. The Tigers scored again on Norman’s two-yard run after a fumble recovery by Noah Reese at the Parkview 26. Republic’s third touchdown was a 22-yard touchdown run by Connor Sandridge, and Republic led 19-0.
The Tigers scored on a safety after another Parkview fumble to make the score 21-0. They scored again on a two-yard touchdown run by Ezekiel Meads to take a 28-0 lead.
Republic blocked a Parkview punt to set up another quick score – Memphis Maples on a five-yard run – and Republic led 35-0.
Norman scored his second touchdown on the next drive, on a three-yard run. The Tigers got one more touchdown in the first half – a two-yard TD run by Gavyn Beckner – to make it 48-0 by halftime.
Republic got one more score in the second half when Tryle Cummins scored on the longest play of the game, a 27-yard touchdown run around the left end.
Republic had 263 yards of total offense – partly because their good field position limited the length of their drive. Parkview managed just 17 total yards (including -25 rushing yards) all night.
Republic is 6-4. It’s the first time since 2015 the Tigers have reached the six-win mark. The Tigers travel to Webb City next week for a district semifinal.
