Republic will host McDonald County to open the district football tournament Thursday. The Tigers enter district play as the #4 seed. McDonald County is seeded fifth.
The Mustangs are 3-6. They opened the season with five straight losses before winning three of their last four, over East Newton, Marshfield and Spingfield Central. McDonald County also played a close game against a good Nevada team in week eight, losing 43-34.
Republic is 4-5 entering district play.
In other district openers, Webb City (9-0) hosts West Plains, Springfield Hillcrest (8-1) is home against Carl Junction (3-6), and Marshfield (3-6) travels to Carthage (7-2).
If Republic wins, they would almost certainly travel to Webb City the following Wednesday. Hillcrest is in line to host Carthage in the district semifinals if they both win their games.
Kickoff in the district opener is set for 7 p.m. in Republic on Thursday evening.