Nixa Avenges Earlier Loss to End Tigers’ Season

For the first 15 minutes of the game, it looks like Republic would erase years of frustration and capture a district football championship. Instead, Nixa erased a 10-point deficit, scoring 31 consecutive points and holding on for 31-17 victory in the district championship game at Republic Friday night.

Despite the 14-point margin of victory, the stats tell the story of two teams that were almost dead even, after Republic had won their first meeting three weeks ago. The Tigers gained 275 total yards and Nixa gained 274.

“I think a lot of the game was ebb and flow of two pretty evenly matched teams,” says Republic coach Wes Beachler. Any time one team got a little jump or a little run, it was because of mistakes from one or the other.

“It ends up being a two possession game, and there was about four things that come to my mind…that could have been a swing,” he says. “It’s high school football. There’s a couple things that happened that were unfortunate for us and unfortunate for them that kept the game teetering back and forth.”

The game marked the last appearance in a Tiger uniform for running back Jerney Jones. His 90-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave Republic a 10-0 lead, and it might’ve been the best run of his career. He appeared to be down three separate times before spinning away, breaking two tackles, and scampering all the way to the end zone. He ended the game with 206 rushing yards, giving him 1,840 1,817 (updated after the season with official total) yards for the season, a new Republic record.

Beyond the broken records, Jones says he hopes he and his fellow seniors leave a lasting mark on the program.

“I hope that we can help the sophomores know how to lead so they can take it further next year,” he says. “We want to watch them take it all the way to state next year.”

What will he remember about his time in a Tiger uniform–especially his senior year?

“Our team was a family. We really came together. We were really cohesive,” he says. “I’ll never forget that.”

Leading 10-0, Republic had an opportunity to take control when they recovered a fumble inside their own 5 yard line. But Nixa’s defense forced a three-and-out, and the Eagles scored on their next possession, beginning a string of 31 unanswered points.

Republic had opportunities to get back in the game, even after they fell behind 31-10. They scored on an 11-yard touchdown pass from Riley Watkins to Zach Dickens to cut the lead to 14. Then they recovered an onside kick and had a chance to make it a one-possession game, but the Eagles’ defense kept them out of the end zone again.

On the ensuing Nixa possession, the Tigers forced a fumble and had another opportunity, but again failed to score. Nixa was able to eventually run out the clock and seal the district championship.

Besides Jones, the Tigers weren’t able to mount much offense. Watkins rushed for 35 yards and threw for 35 more. David Feil was held to held to just three rushing yards.

Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game

Yocum Auto - Vol 2 Issue 1When Nixa stretched its lead to 31-10, Republic could have backed down and given up. Instead, the Tigers responded. Starting with a nine-yard run by Jerney Jones, Republic marched 80 yards in 12 plays, scoring on a touchdown pass from Riley Watkins to Zach Dickens. They cut the lead 31-17 and gave themselves an opportunity to get back in the game, and that was the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game.

Nicos Oropeza rushed for 152 yards on 31 carries for the Eagles. Logan Tyler had 94 rushing yards and three receptions for 39 yards. Quarterback Andrew Rivera was 5-of-8 passing the ball for 75 yards.

Republic ends its season at 6-5–their second consecutive winning season. They advanced a game further this year than last, but played the same number of games because they had a bye in the first round of district play. That extra step this season was important to the program, according to Beachler.

“This is the type of game we should be in about every year. I really feel Republic is a place that should be in a district championship or beyond every year, or one game shy of this. I don’t think we should be done Week 10–rarely, if ever,” Beachler says. “So I think it’s important in that this is the caliber of team that we are. I think we’re a district championship caliber team and beyond, so I think it’s important that we continue to play at this level and get to this point and beyond.”

Despite the difficult ending, Beachler says this team and the senior class has left a lasting impression on him.

“I love them a lot. really good young men,” Beachler says. “I just hope the best for them. I hope they’re good husbands and good fathers and good men in society, and I hope some of them get the opportunity to play at the college level.”

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