Editor’s Note: I’ll be adding to this story, so come back often.
The best Republic football team in a generation somehow keeps topping itself. Saturday afternoon, Republic defeated Webb City for the first time in 25 tries, ending the Cardinals’ streak of 22 consecutive district championships with a 30-21 win.
The never-quit Tigers trailed 21-7 with less than two minutes left in the third quarter, but a 53-yard touchdown pass from Wyatt Woods to James Rexroat jump-started Republic and set off a 23-point outburst that secured the victory.
“The thing I think the most is how proud I am of the kids that they didn’t flinch. Honestly, at halftime it felt like we were beat, because we knew we missed opportunities. They just couldn’t believe we missed our opportunities,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen. “They didn’t flinch in the second half, and we just kept coming out, finding a play here and a play there. It wasn’t easy. We couldn’t move the ball consistently like we wanted to. Then all of a sudden, when the momentum turned, you could just see it. They always believed, but we finally got some momentum and they just ran with it.”
The Tigers followed up their touchdown by recovering two consecutive on-side kicks. Gunner Ellison recovered the first, setting up a touchdown drive — ending on a TD pass from Woods to Ellison — that tied the score. The second, recovered by Ezekiel Meads with 11:11 remaining, didn’t result in a score, but it still was a big play because of the field position it gave the Tigers.
After Webb City’s defense stopped Republic, punter Drew Buchanan skied a punt that rolled to the one-yard line, pinning Webb City against the goal line. On the first play of Webb City’s drive, Kendell Curbow got into the backfield and tackled Aidan Alberty* in the end zone for a safety, giving Republic the lead. *(Changes an earlier incorrect reference to Omari Jackson).
“The punt to put them down there was huge,” Cornelsen said. “I don’t think we’ve punted in the last five weeks, and I couldn’t be prouder of that kid. He works and works and for five weeks he hasn’t got a chance to do it. To step in there today and do it multiple times, and then pin them deep, was huge.”
4th Quarter Heroics
In 2015, Republic had the ball in the fourth quarter at Webb City with a chance to tie, but the offense went three-and-out, and Webb City pulled away for a blowout win. In September, Republic had the ball in the fourth quarter at Webb City with a chance to tie, but the offense went three-and-out, and Webb City pulled away for a blowout win. Saturday, the Tigers finished the drive and got the fourth-quarter score they needed. After Ellison recovered the first on-side kick, Republic drove 50 yards in six plays. The drive included two 13-yard runs by Connor Sandridge and a personal foul against the Cardinals that set up the touchdown pass to Ellison.
After the safety, Republic’s final scoring drive was its longest of the day. The Tigers drove 78 yards in nine plays, burning more than six minutes on the clock. Two twelve-yard completions — one to Rexroat and one to Aidan Gregory — kept the drive moving. A 33-yard run by Sandridge was also a highlight, just before Woods run to the corner of the end zone from four yards out to make the score 30-21.
The late comeback wouldn’t have been possible without a quick score at the end of the third quarter. Webb City had taken a 21-7 lead early in the second half, but the Tigers scored on a two-play, 81-yard drive to get within a touchdown, 21-14. A 28-yard completion to Gregory and a 53-yard strike to Rexroat put the ball in the end zone with :39 left in the quarter.
Republic’s defense played its best game of the year, keeping the score close when the offense struggled in the first half. Webb City had eight possessions. The Cardinals scored on three, punted three times, turned the ball over on downs, and gave up a safety.
In the first half, Republic’s offense struggled to get in sync, but the defense kept the Tigers close on the scoreboard. Webb City scored first after forcing a Republic punt in the first quarter. Breckin Galardo crossed the goal line after a one-yard run to make the score 6-0, and Webb City missed an extra point.
Republic took its first lead on the next possession, driving 56 yards in eight plays. The drive included a 46-yard strike from Woods to Rexroat. Woods threw the ball into double coverage, threading the needle between two defenders to hit Rexroat, who was tackled at the one yard line. Two plays later, Woods sneaked across the goal line, and Mason Cole’s extra point made it 7-6 Tigers.
Webb City scored again on its next drive, going 53 yards on five plays. A 39-yard touchdown run by Galardo finished it off, and a two-point conversion gave Webb City a 14-7 lead.
After Webb City forced another Republic punt, the defense made one of its biggest stands of the day. The Tigers stopped Webb City in the final minute of the first half, keeping the score at 14-7 before halftime with the Cardinals due to get the ball to start the second half.
Republic out-gained Webb City 378 yards to 285. Republic rushed for 204 yards and passed for 174, tearing up the Webb City secondary in the second half. The Cardinals gained 278 of their 285 yards on the ground.
Sandridge had a big day, carrying the ball 21 times, running over countless defenders, and finishing the game with 123 yards and a bloody nose. Woods rushed the ball 21 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed nine of 19 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Kanon Krol rushed the ball four times for eight yards.
Gunner Ellison caught three passes for 23 yards receiving. Rexroat caught three passes for 111 yards. Aidan Gregory caught three passes for 44 yards.
Republic improves to 8-3. Webb City finishes its season at 6-4. The loss by the Cardinals ends a 22-year streak of district championships.
Republic had already proven its astounding turnaround is for real with a 36-35 overtime win over state-ranked Nixa earlier this season. It was the first win over a ranked team in the past 27 years for Republic. Now they’ve done it twice in the same season.
And this one’s not just any ranked team — it’s Republic’s seeming forever-nemesis, Webb City. The win for Republic is the first against Webb City in program history, dating back to their first meeting, a close loss in 1988. Before Saturday, Webb City had beaten Republic 24 times without a loss — more wins without a loss for the Cardinals than against any other school.
The victory also propels the Tigers into the district championship game. They will travel to Carthage next Friday in a rematch of a Week 1 pairing that ended with a 56-26 Carthage victory. For now, though, the Tigers are enjoying their historic victory.
“It feels really good,” Cornelsen said. “To watch the town and the kids, to watch them have that success and the excitement — we got here this morning and there were already some REPMO flags tailgating before we even got here — that’s a special thing to be around that, and I’m very fortunate to be a part of it.”
