More than anything else, what made Republic’s football victory at Nixa possible was the consistent play of the offensive line. Despite being out-sized across the front, Republic pounded the ball at the Eagles using their base run scheme. The line’s consistency allowed Republic to hang onto the ball without eating up big chunks of yardage. The team ran 80 plays, and failed to gain at least some yardage on a rushing play only eight times. Even the overtime play drive that started at the 25-yard line lasted eight plays before Republic scored its touchdown. Considering all that and more, the O-line — Eli Weaver, Carter Nation, Myles Lozano, Max VanWyk, Mason Mitchell, Dean Marcum, and other contributors — turned in the Performance of the Week.
