The Southwest Missouri Football Coaches Association (SWMFCA) has released its Class 5 All-Area team, and Republic is represented by nine first-team selections. In total, 19 Tigers earned recognition across the first team, second team, and honorable mention lists.
Senior offensive lineman Landon Harper and senior kicker Elijah Phiri highlighted the group as unanimous first-team selections. Phiri was one of the most decorated players on the list, earning first-team honors at two positions: kicker and punter.
Harper was joined on the first-team offense by senior tight end Braxton Lundberg and senior athlete Preston McCracken.
On the defensive side, Phiri’s selection as punter was accompanied by four other Tigers. Senior defensive end Grayson Hart, junior defensive lineman Ekene Chukwu, senior linebacker Kaleb Norman, and junior defensive back Keiran Govan were all named to the first team.
Three Tigers were named to the All-Area second team. The offense included senior offensive lineman Chance Gimlin and senior running back Owen Klier. Senior defensive back Gavin Lawhon represented the defense on the second team.
Republic’s depth was evident in the honorable mention category, where eight players received nods. The offensive line group included seniors Avien Ferguson and Jin Villasica, along with junior Raleigh Verstraete. Senior running back Izaiah Hull also earned offensive honorable mention.
Defensively, senior defensive lineman Cooper White, junior linebacker Ethan Montiel, sophomore linebacker Nolan Lashley, and junior defensive back Alex Johnson were recognized.
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