Carthage powers past Republic for district title

Republic’s season ends in 17-point loss in championship; finishes 9-3- overall
 
Carthage used its size and a steady power run game to beat Republic 31-14 in the Class 5 District 6 championship Friday, Nov. 14. While the game turned on a string of mistakes early in the second half, it was also shaped by Republic’s inability to stay on the field offensively.
Carthage opened the scoring with a 4-yard pass from Zane Browning to Landon Bland midway through the first quarter. After the missed extra point, Republic answered with its best early drive, but failed to get any points out of it. Preston McCracken ripped off a 41-yard run to set up first-and-goal at the four. Republic pushed the ball inside the one before it came loose, and Carthage recovered the fumble in the end zone.
The Republic defense responded with a stop to keep the deficit at six. Later in the half, Republic put together a 13-play drive, and Matthew Pelfrey scored from 2 yards out with 2:35 left for a 7-6 halftime lead.
But the biggest momentum swing came early in the third quarter. Republic had forced what would have been 3rd-and-long for Carthage near midfield before a late hit out of bounds extended the possession. Carthage went on to score a touchdown, then added a two-point conversion for a 14-7 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Republic failed to secure the ball, and Carthage recovered at the 14. Three plays later, another touchdown pushed the margin to 21–7. A 23-yard field goal late in the third made it 24-7.
Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said the 14-point swing was too much for his team to overcome, especially with Carthage’s heavy personnel dictating much of the night. “They went to a power set, double tight with an H-back... and we just didn’t have enough beef in the middle to hold up,” Cornelsen said.
Republic managed a 19-play touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, its longest of the game, behind tough inside carries from Izaiah Hull and short pass completions to Owen Klier. Pelfrey capped it with a 1-yard run to cut the deficit to 24-14 with 6:47 remaining. But Carthage added a touchdown in the final two minutes to put the game away.
Beyond the decisive third-quarter sequence, Republic’s lack of sustained offense limited its chances. The Tigers finished with 236 total yards, including 193 on the ground, and had difficulty connecting on open throws that might have kept drives alive.
“They obviously had the Preston (McCracken) stuff pegged pretty well,” Cornelsen said. “We had some passes that were there and we overshot it... We just fell short.”
Carthage totaled 291 yards, with 240 coming on the ground.
“I know our kids played hard and we fought. [I’m] proud of them,” Cornelsen said.
Republic finished 9-3. Two of the three losses came to Carthage, ranked No. 2 in Class 5, and the other was to No. 3 Nixa in Class 6.
Republic set a new single-season scoring record with 504 points, and its 31 wins over the past three seasons tied the program’s highest three-year total in program history.