By Jordan Burton (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
You’d have to go back more than a decade to find the last time a Republic team won as many games as the Tigers did in Year One under Ryan Cornelsen.
Republic was competitive with the elites of the COC and dominant against everyone else.
With 11 starters returning, the Tigers will see if they can build on 2021’s 6-5 mark which included a district playoff win.
“We return several key players in the skill positions, and our kids have now been in the system for an entire season,” said Cornelsen. “We have worked hard in the off-season to try and close the gap from a physical standpoint.”
Republic does return one of the best backs in the Ozarks in senior Conner Sandridge. The All-COC selection rushed for 966 yards on just 113 carries.
“Connor is a physical downhill runner, with good speed,” said Cornelsen. “He will again be a big key to our running game.”
He’ll be joined by seniors Gunner Ellison (6-0, 180) and Ezekiel Meads (5-10, 175), as well as junior Kanon Krol (5-11, 200) with all three guys having the ability to carry the load. Krol was also All-COC.
The offensive line will be led by two-way starter Dean Marcum (6-0, 260) who earned All-COC honors as a junior.
“Dean is an explosive player,” said Cornelsen. “We will need him to create a push on the defensive line.”
He’ll be joined by senior Maxwell VanWyk (5-11, 210) and junior Carter Nation (5-10, 235).
Cornelsen lists Senior Gavyn Beckner and junior Wyatt Woods as the two players battling for reps at quarterback. Woods was also an All-COC defensive back with 34 tackles and seven PBUs.
Senior Cooper Douglass will look to lead the defense from his linebacker spot. Douglass totaled 42 stops in 2021 and was an All-COC pick.
“Cooper will lead our defense,” said Cornelsen. “He really came on late last year after we moved him to linebacker, and expect him to start the season where he left off in 2021.”
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He’ll be joined by classmates Beckner and Noah Reese, as well as juniors Kendell Curbow and Gole Gimlin.
Cornelsen is excited about the growth he’s seen in several newcomers.
Senior Logan Schmoll (6-0, 255) and juniors Mason Mitchell (6-4, 240) and Caden White (6-4, 225) will make an impact along the offensive and/or defensive lines.
Senior Andrew Burgess is a multi-sport athlete that will provide a boost to the secondary.
Junior Caide White has taken snaps at QB during the offseason but could see action at a variety of positions.
Now that the Tigers are even more acclimated to Cornelsen’s brand of football, he’s hopeful Republic can take another step forward in 2022.
“We do feel good about the fact that now we have had a full off-season to train, and one season within our football systems,” said Cornelsen. “How fast we can play at a high level on the offensive and defensive line will be a huge determining factor for us.”
Republic will not attend a jamboree this fall, but will visit Carthage on Aug. 26 to open the 2022 regular season.
