By Don Abernathy (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
Everything that could have gone wrong for Republic went wrong in the first five minutes of play against Webb City on Friday.
Two turnovers and a blocked punt on Republic’s first three possessions proved too costly for the Tigers to overcome as Webb City rolled to a 42-21 Central Ozark Conference win at Republic.
“It was a nightmare,” Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said. “It seemed that anything that could go wrong went wrong and honestly there’s only one place to point the finger, and that’s on me.
“It’s one thing for one kid to make a couple mistakes, but it was all over the place. I’ve just got to do a better job of making sure all those things are crisp before we get out there.”
Republic fumbled and lost the opening offensive snap of the game as Webb City senior Tucker Liberatore recovered the loose ball at the Tigers’ 15-yard line.
Two plays later, Webb City senior Omari Jackson scored on an 11-yard run up the middle for a 7-0 lead just 46 seconds into the game.
“Our defense was frustrated last week against Carl Junction,” Webb City coach Ryan McFarland said.
“We want to be the defense that gets off the field, that puts pressure of offenses and causes turnovers, and that was a phenomenal start.”
Republic fumbled on the ensuing possession and lost the ball on a mishandled pitch just two plays later as Webb City senior Christian Brock recovered the fumble at the Republic 40-yard line.
The Cardinals failed to capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt, but it wasn’t long before the Webb City defense had another gift for its offense.
Webb City junior Brody Eggleston recovered a blocked Republic punt, setting up the Cardinals at the Tigers’ 6-yard line.
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Webb City senior Breckin Galardo punched it across from 3 yards out for a 14-0 lead after just 7:10 of play.
“It was great to get those breaks,” Webb City sophomore Gabe Johnson said. “Our defense kept turning them over and getting the ball back. It was great having two-play drives. Our defense was really big for us tonight.”
The Tigers cut the lead to 14-7 after a 35-yard scoop and score by senior Zion Allen.
“Our defense was the bright spot tonight,” Cornelsen said. “We put them in horrible positions, but they got a touchdown and they scored more points than our offense until late in the game.
“They are way undersized, but they play extremely hard and they kept us in the game. But they can’t overcome mistakes from both offense and special teams.”
A 40-yard touchdown run by Galardo, his second score of the game, put the Cardinals in front 21-7 with 1:28 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers once again cut the lead to one score (21-14) when senior quarterback Wyatt Woods found senior receiver James Rexroat in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter.
Webb City junior Joseph DeGraffenreid took the ensuing kickoff and returned it 68 yards to the Republic 13-yard line. Two plays later, Cameron Allen scored his third touchdown of the game on a second effort at the goal line for a 28-14 halftime lead.
“I felt like we were still in the game at halftime, but we came out after the half and didn’t get any better,” Cornelsen said.
“We’ve got a lot of good players and a lot of returning players, but I’ve got to do a better job offensively. I have to figure out what we are offensively. I’ve got to know our strengths and start playing to those strengths, because right now it’s not working.”
Johnson led Webb City (2-1), rushing 13 times for 86 yards while Galardo added 76 yards on nine carries and three scores.
“I’m blessed with phenomenal kids who keep working hard,” McFarland said.
“We’re not the most talented group of kids, and people don’t talk about our kids a whole lot, but we’ve got kids who fly around and play football the right way.”
Senior Caide White led Republic with 64 yards on two carries and a touchdown, while senior Kanon Krol rushed 10 times for 42 yards in the loss.
