WEBB CITY, Mo. — The Republic High School Tigers (5-1) gained their first lead of the football game with just 85 seconds left on the clock and held on for a 27-21 win over Webb City High School (4-2) on Friday night at Cardinal Stadium.
After converting a third and 2 on its own 28-yard line, it appeared Webb City’s first possession had fizzled, but on a fourth and 9 from the 34-yard-line, Republic bailed out the Cardinals with a roughing-the-kicker penalty, giving the Cardinals a fresh set of downs and new life.
Webb City later capitalized on the Republic mistake with an Abel Getz 2-yard touchdown run with 3:59 left in the opening quarter.
That first 80-yard drive featured 8- and 13-yard runs by Mason Williams and took almost eight minutes off the clock. Diego Aldrete drilled the point after and the Cards held a 7-0 lead.
On their first possession, the Tigers advanced the ball down to the Webb City 31-yard line, but Cardinal defensive back Slade Hurd intercepted a Preston McCracken pass intended for Keiran Govan in the end zone for a touchback at the 11:12 mark of the second quarter.
The Tigers forced a Cardinal three and out and took over possession after the punt on their own 44-yard line with 9:46 left in the half.
Republic’s Owen Kiler had a 30-yard run to the Webb City 37 on a third-and-17 play, but Webb City’s Ethan Keller forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Trevor Lofland on Webb’s own 31-yard line.
Three plays later, on a third and 9, Williams found room on the left side for a 68-yard touchdown sprint. Aldrete’s kick was good, and the Cardinals went up 14-0 with 6:50 left in the half.
After the kickoff, Republic took over on their own 33-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, McCracken scampered for 67-yards for a touchdown. Elijah Phiri’s point after was true to make it a 14-7 game with 6:38 left in the half.
Webb City’s next drive stalled out, and after the punt, Republic took over on its own 24-yard line. But the Cardinals logged their third turnover of the half when Karsen Myers recovered a fumble by Republic’s Izaiah Hull on the Webb City 27-yard line.
Webb City could not capitalize on the turnover, and after another three and out, the Cardinals were forced to punt.
The Cardinal defense held, and Webb City went into the locker room with a 14-7 halftime lead.
Republic orchestrated a 68-yard, 12-play drive that was capped off by a McCracken 4-yard touchdown run with 7:08 left in the third, but Phiri’s point after failed and Webb City clung to a 14-13 lead.
On the Cardinals’ first possession of the second half, Williams reeled off a 55-yard run down to the Republic 24-yard line and seven plays later hit pay dirt with a 7-yard run into the end zone. Aldrete’s kick was good, and Webb City held a 21-13 lead with 2:35 left in the quarter.
Republic’s Matthew Pelfrey answered with a 12-yard touchdown run after an eight-play, 64-yard drive. McCracken caught a pass in the end zone from Brennan Overstreet to complete the 2-point conversion, and the game was tied at 21-21 with 10:28 left in the final quarter.
Webb City took possession on its own 8-yard line after the kick. It was able to move the ball down to the Republic 36-yard line but turned the ball over on downs 15 plays later with 5:03 left after failing to convert a fourth and 1.
The Tigers moved the ball down to the Cardinals 6-yard line with with 1:28 left on a drive that featured a 15-yard run by Jin Villasica and a 21-yard McCracken run. McCracken punched the ball in from the 4-yard line to give Republic its first lead at 27-21 with 1:25 left, but the Cardinals blocked the point-after attempt.
After the kick, Trae Turner returned the ball 35-yards, and Webb City took over on its own 36-yard line with 1:18 left in the game. The Cardinals were unable to make progress and turned the ball over on downs with 34 seconds left.
Williams led the Cardinal rushing attack with 185-yards on 15 carries, including two touchdowns. Quarterback Braden Strickland was 3 for 6 with 11 yards through the air.
McCracken led the Tiger run game with 210 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries and was zero for 2 through the air.
The Cardinals will look to get back on the winning track when they host Willard High School next Friday.
