By Denise Tucker (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
The Republic Tigers will have a new leader at the helm this season as Jesus Zuniga takes over for Kevin Hauck.
Though this is Zuniga’s first high school varsity head coaching job, he is not new to the profession or the area. He has coached multiple teams on the club level over a 15-year period and has served as an assistant coach at area high schools, including Branson and most recently, Nixa.
“I have had some of the greatest coaching mentors in the game as far as their reputations, what knowledge they hold tactically, technically, relationship building, and in ways to motivate,” Zuniga said.
Zuniga inherits a program that finished 13-8-1 overall last season and 7-2 in the Central Ozark Conference – the first time the Tigers finished as co-champions, which they shared with Branson. Republic’s only conference losses came to Ozark and Branson.
“One thing I know coming into this job is that there isn’t an easy opponent in conference play,” Zuniga said. “Away games are always tough, and we continuously play powerhouse teams in this area. As an assistant at Nixa, I learned that we can never take a night off, and every game is a dogfight. If you don’t have multiple ways to defend some of the best offenses in this area or have multiple ways to break down the best defenses in this area, it will make for a very long season.”
The Tigers, who reached their second-highest state ranking last year at No. 15, are faced with replacing 80 percent of their offense with the loss of Marco Donjaun and Will Fronabarger. In addition, Republic must fill the hole left in goal by Drake Lightfoot, a four-year varsity player.
CLICK HERE FOR LINKS TO ALL OF OUR FALL PREVIEWS
• Drake Lightfoot, goalkeeper – 9 shutouts. Second all-time for goalkeeper wins with 32 from 2018-2021, and second-most shutouts with 16. Earned all-district, all-conference and all-region honors.
• Marco Donjuan, forward – Scored 26 goals; a four-year varsity player, currently playing at Webster University. Named all-conference, all-district (Offensive Player of the Year), all-region, and all-state honorable mention. “A great finisher who knew how to find the back of the net.”
• Will Fronabarger – 15 goals in half of a season, now playing at Southwest Baptist University. Earned all-conference honors.
In 2021, the Tigers scored 50 goals (fifth-most in program history, since stats were tracked in 2016), and recorded the fewest goals allowed (26), the best in program history.
The cupboard is not bare for Zuniga as he has worked this summer to put his system in place with six returning starters.
• Ethan Meyer, senior, defender/midfielder – “I have really enjoyed getting to know Ethan as a person and player this summer,” Zuniga said. “His leadership has been impeccable. Ethan is a versatile player that I can start as a center back, then move to the midfield, and out wide, or up top, if I need to. Players respond well to Ethan’s leadership and he leads by example. He is confident on the ball and holds himself accountable when he makes mistakes.”
• Gage Fisher, senior defender – “Gage brings a big body presence in the back. He works well with our backline and can play anywhere back there. He takes pride in being a defender and knows his role. Several players want to play up top to score goals, and Gage wants to shut these players down and help the team achieve their goal of 10 shutouts this season.”
• Santino Stiglianese, junior midfielder – “Santino will be one of our commanders in the middle. He knows how to distribute the ball and has confidence to rip a shot from distance. His vision sets him apart from other midfielders, and he tends to want to be very involved. He’s quick and takes things personally, making him difficult to beat.”
• Xavier Ulshafer, junior goalkeeper – “This summer, when Coach Mark Campbell (our assistant) met Xavier, he immediately informed me that he wants to work with him all season as he sees a very high ceiling for Xavier. Xavier played defense last year, due to Drake being the primary goalie. Xavier plays goalie for his club team and had the opportunity to play some games in Europe this summer. Every player on the team appears to respect Xavier, and he is THE voice in the back. He’s great with his feet, has great reflexes, and is not afraid to put his body on the line.”
• Brayden Tharp, junior midfielder – “Brayden is going to be our workhorse in the middle that does everything correct, even though he may not get the stats. Another very coachable kid who wants to do what’s best for the team. He knows how to move around the field, not just vertically, but horizontally as well, and is humble in his successes. He knows how to contain players and slow them down, allowing us to get numbers back defensively. He’s crafty and confident enough to take players on but also knows when to get the ball off his foot.”
• Diego Zuniga, sophomore midfielder/forward – “Diego gained recognition as a freshman, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gains early recognition as a sophomore. Diego is a player who wants the ball at his feet, whether he is in the midfield or playing as a forward. Diego has a knack for putting the ball in the back of the net. Diego can play out wide or in the middle of the field.”
Zuniga said the returning starters have put in the work this summer – weights, speed and agility – as have the newcomers.
• Connor VanMatre, senior forward/midfielder – “Quick speed and willing to play up high or out wide,” Zuniga said. “Connor is constantly asking great questions in regards to his positioning and role that we want him to play as a coaching staff.”
• Caleb Hicks, senior midfielder – “Caleb is quick and knows how to play out wide exceptionally well. He is willing to try new positions and we are experimenting with potentially playing him in the back. Caleb combines well with all the other attackers.”
• Zach Irwin, senior midfielder/defender – “Zach is exceptionally quick. He knows how to get in a player’s face and force errors. If he loses the ball he finds a way to win it back.”
• Michael Argo, junior defender – “Mikey has played well for us this summer and he doesn’t appear to be a typical center back due to him being shorter than several players, but his heart and drive make him play as if his taller than others. Mikey will be a key component to our back whether it’s in the middle or out wide.”
• Will Brock, junior defender – “Will is a hard-nosed defender that takes it very personally when he gets beat. He works hard and believes that every ball is his ball. Will also will be a key component to our defense and he’s versatile enough to play anywhere in the back line.”
• Kleber Perez, junior midfielder/forward – “Kleber has impressed since my first contact day this summer. He’s crafty on the ball, silent, and identifies passing lanes exceptionally well. Kleber wants to score goals and has a nice shot, from distance, generally placing it versus hammering it.”
• Miles Thomas, sophomore defender/midfielder – “Miles is another young player who has left a great impression this summer. He’s willing to play in the midfield or defense, wherever the team needs him. He feels comfortable in the middle of the pitch or out wide, depending on whatever is needed. He is a player that wants to play and understands his role in whatever position he may be asked to play.”
DOWNLOAD THE O-ZONE APP NOW!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR APPLE
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID
Zuniga says he has told his players there is no set roster in place.
“The boys are quickly adjusting to my coaching style and my high expectations for them,” Zuniga said. “I’ve been blessed to inherit a great program and the challenge is taking a great program and making it better or sustaining the amount of success this program has been known to achieve. Several players have already left great impressions whether it’s their confidence on the ball, their leadership skills, or their willingness to learn and adapt quickly.
“My expectations for the boys are for them to be able to compete day in and day out; represent the program, school and community the proper way. They need to trust one another, and things will happen. We expect to pick up right where we left off and find a team that will make up the 41 goals that we lost in graduating two great players.”
Republic will host a jamboree with Ozark, Parkview and Central on Aug. 19 before opening the regular season at Waynesville on Aug. 26.
