For the second week in a row, the Republic offense struggled to sustain a drive. And for the first time this year, Webb City looked like Webb City, as the Cardinals shut down the Tigers for a 30-7 win.
After a rare 0-2 start, Webb City dominated every facet of the game, including total yardage, out-gaining Republic 477 to 188. More than half of Republic’s yardage came on one big play — a 97-yard touchdown pass from Riley Watkins to Cameron Flood after the game was out of reach. Another 27 yards came on a Watkins run, leaving 64 yards total on the remaining 31 plays.
“I think we have kids that…start pressing and they’re dancing in the backfield a little bit too much, trying to find that seam so they can “house” it, rather than just grinding out four or five yards at a time,” says Coach Wes Beachler. “Defensively, we are not very good tacklers right now, and that needs to be fixed. But what do you do? You get better. You keep working. That’s all I know to do.”
Republic got the ball four times in the in the first half and didn’t manage to pick up a first down. Watkins led the team with 47 yards rushing on nine carries. David Feil carried the ball 11 times for 32 yards. The Tigers had 90 rushing yards total.
Webb City had three players with more than 100 yards rushing. Cameron Baker ran for 143 yards. Hunter Vanlue rushed for 130. Cash Link ran for 126.
Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game
The Tigers didn’t have much in the way of offensive consistency Friday, but their lone scoring drive was lightning-quick. After recovering a fumble inside their own 1 yard line, the Tigers ran a play, got called for a penalty that moved them back to the 2 1/2 yard line, then unleashed a long bomb. The 97-yard pass from Riley Watkins to Cameron Flood tied a school record for longest TD pass, and completed the Yocum Automotive Drive of the Game.
Beachler says he told his players after the game that they have a decision to make about how to handle the adversity of two straight losses.
“There’s a lot of things to do in Springfield, Missouri…that don’t take a lot of work. Or you can put your nose to the grindstone and keep working. That’s all you got. That’s your choices,” Beachler says. “I told them when we sit down next week and watch Nixa film, we’ll find out who are the guys still fighting and who are the guys who’ve decided it’s too hard. We’ve got to find out who’s going to sell out and work hard.”
Republic and Webb City are both 1-2. The Tigers return home next week to host Nixa, who’s coming off a blowout win over Springfield Central.