Competing in the Central Ozark Conference, Republic is accustomed to playing Class 5 teams during the regular season. Now they’ll meet those teams in the post-season, too. The Missouri State High School Athletic Association has released its new classifications for the 2014-15 school year, and Republic has jumped into Class 5 in both football and basketball.
In football, Class 5 is divided into eight districts. The Tigers will compete in Class 5 District 5, along with six other teams: Branson, Springfield Central, Springfield Glendale, Nixa, Ozark, and Springfield Parkview.
The winner of that district will meet the winner of District 6, which includes Belton, Carthage, Neosho, Ruskin, Sedalia Smith-Cotton, and Willard.
In basketball, the Tigers and Lady Tigers move into Class 5 District 12 with four other teams: Joplin, Neosho, Nixa, and Willard.
The other southwest Missouri basketball district (11) features Branson, Springfield Central, Springfield Kickapoo, Ozark, and Springfield Parkview.