Editor’s Note: The original version of this story indicated Republic has scored 500 points this season. The actual total is 490 (still a single-season record).
Republic’s offense piled up 424 rushing yards and six touchdowns, but coach Ryan Cornelsen pointed to a defensive stand as the turning point in the Tigers’ 41–24 win over Webb City.
Coming out of halftime, Republic led 21–17 and had been unstoppable. But its first drive of the third quarter ended with its only punt of the night. The defense answered. Pinned deep, Webb City couldn’t move the ball, and when Republic got it back, the Tigers reestablished control.
“We lost the momentum out of half and then our defense got it back for us, and then we went in and scored,” Cornelsen said. “And that, to me, was huge.”
That stop set up a four-play, 71-yard drive capped by a 36-yard touchdown run by quarterback Preston McCracken. It was McCracken’s third score of the night and extended the lead to 28–17. From there, Republic never looked back.
McCracken finished with 27 carries for 207 yards and five touchdowns, breaking through a Webb City defense that didn’t have an answer. “I knew first half we were winning the line of scrimmage. So it was just a matter of us continuing to do that,” Cornelsen said. “For the most part, I felt like our normal stuff was there. We were able to get enough push that our backs were able to get through or at least get some positive yards.”
Republic built its early advantage on balance and patience. After forcing a punt on Webb City’s opening drive, the Tigers marched 57 yards on 11 plays and took a 7–0 lead on a seven-yard McCracken run. After a Webb City field goal, McCracken added an eight-yard score for a 14–3 lead early in the second quarter.
Webb City closed within 14–10 on a short touchdown by Mason Williams, but Republic answered again—this time with an 11-yard run by Matthew Pelfrey to make it 21–10. The Cardinals struck just before halftime on a 4-yard run by Trae Turner to make it 21–17.
The third-quarter defensive stand proved to be the hinge point. Republic’s next possession ended with McCracken’s 36-yard touchdown, and in the fourth quarter, he added scoring runs of six and seven yards to seal the win. Webb City’s lone second-half score came on a 60-yard run by quarterback Braden Strickland, but by then Republic’s offense had control of the clock and the game.
Cornelsen credited the offensive line and running backs for their complete effort. “They all ran really hard. I feel like they all came out of the backfield blocking really hard,” he said. “When they’re willing to do that, you’ve got a chance.”
Republic rushed for 424 yards on 62 carries, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. Pelfrey, Izaiah Hull, and Keiran Govan each contributed key runs to keep drives alive. The defense allowed 258 yards—all on the ground—and limited Webb City to three touchdowns on 10 possessions.
Republic had lost 24 straight to Webb City before 2022 but has now won five of the last six meetings. Friday’s 41 points were the most Republic has ever scored against the Cardinals, and the Tigers’ season total reached 490 points—breaking the previous single-season scoring record of 472 set two years ago in a 15-game season.
“It was fun there in the end to be able to watch our kids take a knee and have a big win,” Cornelsen said.
Republic advances to the district championship game next Friday at Carthage, who beat Neosho on Friday.
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