For the second week in a row, Republic went back to basics and it was more than enough for a win. The Tigers trampled Parkview 42-6, relying exclusively on its rushing game and formidable defense to cruise into the district semifinals. Republic had six running backs with 35+ yards.
It was the third year in a row Republic has opened the playoffs with a win over the Vikings. This year’s score was slightly closer than the previous two meetings, but that’s not indicative of how well Republic played, according to Ryan Cornelsen.
“I felt like our kids, when we run that style of game plan, we don’t score quick, so you’ve just got to be patient and keep punching in,” Cornelsen said. “Our kids are used to that, and even though people would assume it was going to be breakout scores and high-scoring, that’s not really what we’re doing there, so I thought they did a good job at executing.”
Republic scored on its first four possessions. The first went 13 plays and 82 yards, capped on a one-yard run by David Hayes. The extra point by Mason Cole made it 7-0.
The second touchdown drive covered a short field after an interception by Garrett Lester. Republic took seven plays to go 30 yards, scoring on a six-yard run by Daniel Phillips and pushing the lead to 14-0.
After another defensive stop, Republic went 72 yards in eight plays. They scored on an 11-yard run by Caide White to go up 21-0. White scored again on the Tigers’ next drive, capping a 47-yard drive that involved only two plays. The other play was a 31-yard run by Phillips to set up the touchdown. Republic led 28-0 at half.
They scored again to start the second half, driving 62 yards on seven plays. A 19-yard run by Preston McCracken, in for Woods at quarterback, helped make the score 35-0. A final score came after a drive of nine plays and 57 yards. Treyton Gray scored on a two-yard run to make it 42-0. Parkview scored a touchdown on their next possession early in the fourth quarter. A 26-yard TD pass from Willy Otto to Jaylen King made the final score 42-6.
Republic out-gained Parkview 475 yards to 152. The first-string Republic defense held Parkview to -14 yards rushing in the first half. Linebacker Braydin Casey contributed to that performance with two first-half sacks.
White led the Tigers in rushing with 155 yards on 15 carries. He had two touchdowns. Phillips had ten carries for 97 yards and a touchdown. Hayes 10 carries, 35 yards and a touchdown. McCracken rushed the ball six times for 52 yards and a touchdown. Owen Klier had seven carries for 50 yards. Keiran Govan carried the ball twice for 41 yards. Gray scored the final touchdown for Republic and finished with 13 yards on four carries.
The Tigers are 8-2. It’s their second year in a row with eight wins. The last time Republic won at least eight games in two consecutive seasons was 1990 and 1991, when they won nine games each year.
Republic will host Willard next week in the district semifinals.
