The Republic football team faces a unique challenge tonight when it travels to Joplin to take on the Eagles. Both teams enter the Central Ozark Conference matchup with 3-1 records, and Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen sees a distinct threat in Joplin’s roster.
“It’s probably, since I’ve been here four years, the fastest team we’ve seen in the COC, as far as number of guys that can really run,” Cornelsen said.
The speed poses a challenge for Republic’s defense, which has shown steady improvement since the season opener — a loss to Nixa. Cornelsen believes his team has made strides in understanding assignments and executing them effectively.
“I think the first game was a tall task for a bunch of new faces to understand just how disciplined to your assignment you have to be,” Cornelsen said. “The slightest adjustment of what we thought you were going to do, it snowballs on the whole defense.”
To counter Joplin’s speed, Cornelsen emphasized the need for disciplined, team-oriented defense.
“We’re going to have to swarm to the football defensively,” he said. “We’re going to have to give guys help, and not leave them on an island with a lot of space with those kind of guys that can run.”
Offensively, Republic looks to build on its balanced attack that has seen different players step up each week. Preston McCracken has been a mainstay at quarterback. Against Kickapoo last week, fullback Izaiah Hull had a standout performance. Cornelsen expects Joplin to adjust its defense accordingly.
“I’m guessing Joplin’s focused on the trap this week because Izaiah had such a big night,” Cornelsen said. “If they are able to take that away, then that should free something else up.”
That philosophy of adaptability is central to Republic’s offensive strategy.
“We don’t care what you take away, but we feel like if you take something away, you’re going to open something else up,” Cornelsen said. “It’s our job to find what that other play is, or where you’re weak, based on what you’re trying to take away.”
Cornelsen anticipates Joplin will stack the box defensively, relying on its speedy defensive backs to make plays. That puts pressure on Republic’s offensive line to create openings.
“We’re going to have to create a push,” Cornelsen said. “We’re going to have to create some seams and try to get some bodies up to those defensive backs that have made a lot of tackles.
“The game plan evolves as we go through the game,” Cornelsen said. “It changes each week based on what we’re doing well, what new formation they’re throwing at us, and those things.”
Friday’s game is the first in the new Central Ozark Conference Western Division. Previous games — all against teams in the East — will not count toward the divisional standings which will be used to crown two champions. That means both teams essentially enter tonight’s game with conference records of 0-0.
Coverage on the Republic Tiger Sports YouTube channel will begin with the Hines Street Pharmacy Pregame Show around 6:45.
