Republic Sports 10-02-2024

McCracken’s six touchdowns power Republic past Joplin
Preston McCracken ran for 327 yards and six touchdowns as Republic outlasted Joplin 49-38 Friday night. The Tigers racked up 501 rushing yards without completing a pass in a game that saw six lead changes.
“It’s all up front every single time,” McCracken said. “Most of the touchdowns I was untouched walking in the end zone. So it’s just all the O-line. They’re the push, they’re the offense.”
Owen Klier added 81 yards on 10 carries, including a touchdown, and Mason Fleetwood ran for 62 yards on nine attempts for Republic.
The Tigers opened with an eight-minute drive capped by McCracken’s one-yard touchdown run. Joplin answered quickly with a 33-yard touchdown pass to tie the game. Joplin scored on a fumble recovery to take the lead, and the teams traded scores the rest of the night.
Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen praised McCracken’s decision-making on read options. “That was the most reading we’ve done,” Cornelsen said. “I felt like that was what they couldn’t stop.”
McCracken scored three times in each half. His two-yard score with 5:38 left in the fourth quarter put Republic ahead 42-38. The Tiger defense then forced a turnover on downs, allowing McCracken to seal the win with a 36-yard touchdown run.
McCracken’s 327 yards rank 26th all-time for a single game in Missouri high school football history, according to Missouri State High School Activities Association records. His six rushing touchdowns tie for 24th-best.
“That was a great performance by our offense, and our defense came up with the stop when we needed it in the end,” Cornelsen said.
The win improves Republic’s record to 4-1. Joplin falls to 3-2. The Tigers host Webb City Friday.
 
Republic tennis honors seniors with Webb City sweep
Republic’s tennis team celebrated Senior Night with a commanding 9-0 victory over Webb City last week. The win honored the program’s largest graduating class, with 12 seniors recognized.
“Some of them have been with us all four years, some of them more recently, but they’ve all contributed to our program,” coach David Smashey said. “They’ve been part of the growth, numerically, of our culture, of our group, but also culturally.”
Smashey credited the senior class with shaping the team’s identity and elevating its play.
“We’ve become, I think, more dynamic, and we have more athletes, and we’re learning to play tennis faster and better than ever,” he said.
The large senior group has taken on leadership roles, guiding younger players through example.
“They welcome the younger players, they make them part of the team, and also they just kind of show them the ropes,” Smashey said. “They tell them we need to pick up the balls, we need to get things in before we finish practice, and it’s more subtle. They don’t really order them around, but the younger girls just know to watch them, and they do what (the seniors) do.”
 
Republic softball splits conference games, snaps 6-year losing streak against Webb City
Republic’s softball team split its Central Ozark Conference West Division games last week, defeating Webb City at home before falling at Neosho.
The Lady Tigers snapped a six-year losing streak against Webb City with a 5-3 home victory Tuesday. Republic’s offense erupted for four home runs. Addie Brown, Annabelle Gerhardt-Hobbs, and Addison Walker hit solo shots, while Sammi Watson’s two-run homer provided the decisive runs.
“I think we all were just super pumped and ready to get in there and compete, and we definitely executed,” Brown said.
Kara Goeke pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing one earned run on four hits. Piper Dishman secured the save.
The bats went quiet in Republic’s road game at Neosho. The Lady Tigers fell 3-0 in a pitchers’ duel. Neosho broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a double, a single, a walk, and a Republic error.
Dishman took the loss, allowing two earned runs in four innings. The split put Republic’s record at 13-7 overall and 1-1 in division play.
 
Republic soccer splits week with OT loss, road win
Republic’s soccer team split its games last week, falling to Waynesville in overtime before defeating Lebanon on the road.
Republic led Waynesville 1-0 at halftime. The visitors equalized in the second half, forcing overtime. After two scoreless extra periods, Waynesville won 4-3 in penalty kicks for a 2-1 victory.
The Tigers rebounded Thursday with a 3-1 win at Lebanon in Central Ozark Conference play. Isaac Vermule scored midway through the first half off Will Pinnell’s corner kick. Lebanon tied it before halftime.
Diego Zuniga broke the tie with 12:48 left, finishing Elijah Phiri’s through ball. Caleb Miclea added a late goal after a Lebanon goalkeeper error to clinch the win.
 
Republic golf takes 3rd at Willard; Benson, Smith earn medals
The Republic girls golf team posted one of its best recent performances at the Willard Invitational last week. The Lady Tigers secured third place with a team score of 404.
Izzy Benson led Republic, shooting an 88 to finish fifth overall. Jenna Smith followed closely with a 90, good for sixth place. Both Benson and Smith earned medals for their top-10 finishes.
Mylee Ramsey contributed a 106 to the team total. Paige Crosby shot 120, while London Crawford rounded out the Republic squad with a 130.
Rylee Allred of Ash Grove won the individual title with a 72. Springfield Central claimed the team championship with a score of 386.