Sifferman Breaks Mustangs in Republic Win

Ryan Sifferman went 74 yards for a touchdown the first time he touched the ball Friday night — and things actually got better for him from there. Sifferman scored all four Tiger touchdowns, and had 317 all-purpose yards, as Republic beat McDonald County in the first game of district play, 27-22.

Republic had fallen behind early, when the Mustangs marched 81 yards on their first possession. They scored on a touchdown run by John Graham to take a 6-0 lead. Republic blocked the extra point attempt.

On the Tigers’ first play from scrimmage, Sifferman popped through a hole on the right side of the line and scampered 74 yards for the score, and Republic led 7-6.

After the Tiger defense got a stop, Sifferman capped another scoring drive with a 33-yard run, and the Tigers led 14-6.

Later in the half, McDonald County answered on a 2-yard run by Kilby Shockley. The Mustangs added a 2-point conversion to tie the score at 14, and that’s where the game stood at the half.

Sifferman picked up where he left off at the start at the 3rd quarter. On the second play of the Tigers’ opening drive, Sifferman broke free for a 76-yard touchdown run, putting him over 200 yards for the game. The extra point made the score 21-14.

But McDonald County responded again on its next drive, going 45 yards and scoring on a 14-yard touchdown run by Nelson Boyd. The Mustangs tacked on another 2-point conversion, and took a 22-21 lead with about 10:30 left in the game.

After the Tigers fumbled the ball away on their next drive, the defense got a big stop to force a punt by McDonald County. The Tigers blocked the punt and took over at their own 41 yard line with 5:11 left in the game.

Republic’s offense turned to running backs Sifferman and Colton McCarty with the game on the line, handing the ball off seven straight times. The winning drive included a 4th-and-1 play, with the Tigers picking up a first down by inches. On the very next play, Sifferman broke free for his fourth touchdown — a 37-yard run off the right side of the line.

Chase Mills intercepted a pass to snuff out McDonald County’s next drive, and Republic held on for the 27-22 victory.

Sifferman finished with 285 rushing yards for the game, on 22 carries. Counting his kick returns, he had 317 all-purpose yards. Colton McCarty ran for 42 yards on 10 carries. Quarterback Blaze Carano completed 4 of 9 passes for 26 yards.

McDonald County had two running backs over 100 yards. Kilby Shockley had 20 carries for 126 yards, and Nelson Boyd carried the ball 23 times for 118 yards. Quarterback Cameron Farmer completed 12 of 17 passes for 116 yards.

The win improves Republic’s record to 3-5 overall. They’re 1-0 in district play, and they’ll host Neosho next week. McDonald County will play Branson next week in the other district game.

Neosho beat Branson 48-38 Friday. Here the district standings so far:

Neosho 1-0 (+10)
Republic 1-0 (+5)
McDonald County (-5)
Branson 0-1 (-10)

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