Republic has played Carthage twice in the same season three times before, and every time, the second game ended Republic’s season. This year, for the first time, Republic goes into the rematch with a win in the first game.
The two teams meet in the district semifinal Friday night at 7 at Republic. The Tigers are 8-1 and the top seed in Class 5 District 6. Carthage is 7-3 and the fourth seed. Republic is ranked No. 2 in Class 5 and Carthage is No. 8. The winner plays Neosho or Branson next week for the district championship.
Republic won the first meeting 26-22 on Oct. 16, on the strength of Alex Johnson’s 95-yard kickoff return right after Carthage had taken the lead with 8:19 left. Carthage went 0-for-3 on fourth down that night, and the last one was an incomplete pass from the Republic 10 with 3:25 to play. Three of the last five meetings between the two teams have been decided by six points or fewer.
Carthage has had a rough three weeks since. It gave up a 28-14 lead at home and lost to Neosho 51-48, then beat Webb City 10-7 in the first round of districts. Republic beat Neosho 47-35 in September. Landon West, Carthage’s All-State running back, hurt his leg in the second quarter of the Webb City game and didn’t play in the second half. Freshman Karter Manzer took his place and carried 18 times for 81 yards. Carthage ran the ball 51 times against Webb City and threw it four. Quarterback Slade Stiffler ran for 92 yards and the only touchdown.
Ryan Cornelsen said on this week’s REPMO Football Show that he expects West to play, and he doesn’t think it matters much to the game plan.
“We’d be surprised if he didn’t,” Cornelsen said. “But really, the offense didn’t change with either back. Whoever’s back there, our plan will be the same either way. The kid they brought in was really good, too. He plays defense for them. Their scheme is really good, so whoever they put back there has got a chance to hurt you.”
Game page →Republic hasn’t played since it beat Willard 42-15 to win the COC West outright on Oct. 23. The bye week was the first of Cornelsen’s 24 years in coaching, and he said the Tigers kept their normal practice schedule, with shorter workouts and a little time on both Carthage and Webb City.
Nolan Lashley has 1,478 yards and 28 touchdowns this season. The touchdowns are a school record, and he set it against Carthage with the third of his three scores that night. Baelor Cutbirth ran for 104 yards in that game. Lincoln Caldwell, who sat out the Carthage game, is back after running for 84 yards at Willard. Republic is averaging more than 400 rushing yards a game, and the defense has three shutouts, the most for a Republic team since 2003.
Carthage wants to play the same style. Last year, Carthage controlled the ball against Republic in the district championship game, and Cornelsen said that’s a key to the matchup Friday.
“Time of possession, number of plays, those things are really critical for us,” he said. “And honestly, Carthage as well. They want to win the time of possession, too. And last year they were able to really do it to us.”
Carthage leads the series 24-2, and both Republic wins came at home. Kickoff is set for 7:00 on Friday.
What to watch:
Fourth down: Carthage went for it three times at Republic and came up empty on all three. Republic converted all five of its fourth downs against Webb City the week before, and it’s 16 of 30 on fourth down for the season. Opponents are 8 of 25 against the Republic defense. If both teams keep the ball on the ground and keep the offense on the field, a fourth-down stop or two could decide it again.
Special teams: Carthage’s two biggest plays in October came on an onside kick to open the second half and a blocked extra point. Republic’s biggest play was a kickoff return. Will the special teams swing the game on Friday?
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