Republic’s ground game dominated Friday night’s 55-33 win over Ozark, with the Tigers rushing for more than 400 yards in their most complete offensive performance of the season.
Preston McCracken and Owen Klier both eclipsed 100 rushing yards as Republic extended its winning streak against Ozark to five games.
After forcing a punt on Ozark’s opening drive, Republic struck quickly. McCracken broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run with 9:15 left in the first quarter. Five minutes later, McCracken added a 41-yard scoring run on fourth down for a 14-0 lead. Matthew Pelfrey capped a nine-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.
“I thought that was by far our best showing as far as an offense goes,” said Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen. “Our offensive line was controlling the line of scrimmage, getting movement.”
Ozark answered midway through the second quarter. Quarterback Peyton Russell hit Anthony Cordell for 40 yards, then found Mereck Putt for an 11-yard touchdown to cut it to 21-7. McCracken responded two minutes later with a 40-yard scoring pass to Keiran Govan. Govan got behind the defense and was wide open for an easy score. It was the second consecutive game that McCracken and Govan have connected for a touchdown. The extra point failed, leaving Republic ahead 27-7.
Ozark struck back immediately with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown by Jett Easley to make it 27-14, and that’s where it stood at halftime.
Republic’s rushing attack resumed its domination in the third quarter. McCracken scored on a 15-yard run to make it 34-14. Klier followed with a 37-yard touchdown run, spinning away from two defenders before racing to the end zone.
“We’ve been running… those type of plays most of the night, and every play there was about one guy left to make miss,” Klier said. “I finally made… two guys miss and dove in for the touchdown.”
Klier added a 3-yard score to push the lead to 48-14 after three quarters. “It was wide open. I didn’t get touched,” he said.
Cornelsen noted Klier’s growth in his second varsity season. “That was one of his best games,” Cornelsen said. “He hit the hole hard. He had a good vision. He saw some cutbacks.”
Ozark rallied in the fourth quarter. Easley ran 25 yards for a touchdown to cut it to 48-21. Backup quarterback Caden O’Donnell hit Putt for a 12-yard score, making it 48-27. Republic answered when Pelfrey powered in from 16 yards out.
“I broke… two tackles,” Pelfrey said. “And then Landon Harper, he came up behind me. He’s like, “Get in there.” He pushed me (across the goal line).”
O’Donnell capped the scoring with a 1-yard quarterback sneak for the final margin.
McCracken accounted for four touchdowns — three on the ground and one through the air. Klier and Pelfrey scored two touchdowns apiece.
While the offense clicked, Cornelsen pointed to defensive struggles after strong early play. “Defensively, I thought came out early and played really well,” he said. “(In the) second half defensively, we’re better than that. We just didn’t play very well.”
Republic improved to 2-1. Ozark is 1-2. Republic will play at Kickapoo next week.
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