The biggest, loudest crowd in Republic football history cheered the Tigers to their biggest, most electrifying win ever. Sophomore Kaleb Norman made a sliding interception at the 17 yard line to turn away Webb City’s last-ditch drive and deliver Republic to the state championship game with a 21-20 win in the state semifinals.
“The Lord has blessed us with a great group of kids that are willing to work and put in the time and effort, and I’m very thankful for it,” said coach Ryan Cornelsen, who also called out the community for its support of the team Saturday.
“I’ve been several places and played in state championships and big games, and this is by far the best I’ve seen,” said Cornelsen, who came to Republic from Kansas less than three years ago. “Any play that was big for us, it erupted, and it was awesome to be a part of. What a great experience for our kids.”
The game was a knock-down drag-out battle with five lead changes. Each team had opportunities to take control, only to watch someone else step up to swing the momentum the other direction. In the end, it was the Republic defense that made a stand, saving the game for a third consecutive week. Through all the momentum swings, Cornelsen and his staff worked to keep their players calm.
“I’ve been doing it a while. You just try to keep your composure. Usually, if you keep your composure, your kids will keep theirs. There were several times we could have folded and given in. We kept fighting and kept trying to make plays, and made just enough to come out with a win,” Cornelsen said.
Republic took ball-control to the next level during its opening drive of the game. The Tigers used 19 plays and burned 10 minutes 46 seconds to drive 68 yards, finishing with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Wyatt Woods. Woods rushed the ball six times in a row to finish the drive, and Mason Cole’s extra point made it 7-0 with 1:10 left in the first quarter.
It didn’t take long for Webb City to answer. After recovering an onside kick, Gabe Johnson threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Jackson Lucas on the first play of the drive. But Alex Dunne’s extra point attempt was wide right, and that would be a fateful miss for the Cardinals.
Republic had to punt after three plays on its next possession, and Webb City took the lead for the first time on its next drive. Omari Jackson ran the ball in from four yards out. Webb City went for a two-point conversion, but an open-field tackle by Kendell Curbow shut the play down. That kept Webb City’s lead at 12-7.
The Tigers got back on the board with a 75-yard drive on their next possession. After two small gains, Republic faced a third down and long, but an offside penalty against the Cardinals made the distance manageable, allowing the Tigers to extend the drive. Three plays later, a quick strike of 63 yards from Woods to James Rexroat went for a touchdown. Mason Cole kicked the extra point to put the Tigers up 14-12, and that was the score at halftime.
The second half started with a Webb City score. The Cardinals went 69 yards, scoring on a 43-yard touchdown run by Gabe Johnson. He ran in a two-point conversion to give Webb City a 20-14 lead.
Republic gave the ball up on downs on its next possession, and Webb City had an opportunity to take a two-possession lead, but squandered it with mistakes and penalties. After a long run by Omari Jackson put Webb City at Republic’s 24-yard line, two holding penalties and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty backed the Cardinals up and they ended up punting the ball away.
That’s when Republic put together the game-winning drive. The Tigers drove 89 yards for the score. The touchdown came on fourth-and-inches, when Republic set up in a formation it always uses to draw the defense offside. Webb City was prepared — but the Tigers threw a twist by snapping the ball. Woods rolled right and found a wide-open Caide White before the Cardinal defense reacted, giving the Tigers a touchdown. Cole’s third extra point gave the Tigers the lead, 21-20, as the third quarter ended.
Republic followed up the touchdown with another onside kick attempt, and this time, it worked. The ball deflected off a Webb City player and Republic recovered. After some confusion by the officials and two long conversations — one with Webb City coach Ryan McFarland and one with Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen — the Tigers got the ball. They drove the ball to the Webb City 38 yard line, but Woods fumbled the ball and Aaron Bell recovered with 8:37 left in the game, forcing Republic’s defense to make another game-saving stand.
The Cardinals milked the clock, marched upfield, and seemed on course to score the game-winning touchdown with little time left on the clock. But on third down from the 19 yard line, Kendell Curbow and Evan Buchanan pressured Johnson into an errant throw. Sophomore Kaleb Norman read the ball perfectly and picked off the pass, turning the Cardinals away.
Republic needed just a single first down to secure the win, and after gaining seven yards on the first two plays, they got it when Webb City jumped offside. Woods took a knee twice from victory formation to set off the celebration.
“I told them they’ve definitely lit a spark in the community, and if they win this one, it will be a flame,” Cornelsen said. “They’ve done that and created a buzz around town, and our community’s doing a great job of supporting our young people, and I couldn’t be any prouder to be a part of it.”
The game was just about as even on the stat sheet as it was on the scoreboard. Republic out-gained Webb City 283 yards to 278. The Tigers had 193 rushing yards and 90 yards through the air. Webb City rushed for 199 yards and threw for 79.
For Republic, Wyatt Woods rushed the ball 28 times for 130 yards and a touchdown. He completed four of seven passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. Rexroat had two catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. White had one catch for nine yards and a touchdown, and he also rushed the ball for 21 yards on six carries. Kanon Krol picked up 42 yards on 15 carries, and he also had a seven-yard reception on a shovel pass from Wyatt Woods.
For a second season in a row, the Tigers sent the Cardinals home for the winter. Webb City finishes at 10-3. Republic is 12-2, matching its all-time record for wins in a season. The Tigers will play in the state championship game at Faurot Field in Columbia Friday at 7:00 p.m. They’ll play undefeated Cardinal Ritter, who beat Cape Girardeau Central 52-22 Saturday.
Republic Tiger Sports will have live audio play-by-play of the state championship game.
