By Dana Harding (For OzarksSportsZone.com)
BRANSON, MO – The last time Republic football won back-to-back district titles, Harry Potter was just a third-year student.
The Tigers celebrated the 20-year anniversary Friday evening with a repeat performance at Branson’s Pirate Stadium.
In a highly anticipated Class 5 District 6 battle, Republic overwhelmed Branson – the No. 1 seed – 35-10.
Tigers Quarterback Preston McCracken turned in a dominant performance, rushing for four touchdowns on 28 carries.
Even more impressive?
The 6-foot-2 junior is only six weeks removed from an MCL injury that limited playing time down the season’s home stretch.
“We have great trainers, and the healing process was way quicker than I thought,” McCracken said. “We didn’t try and rush it. We just stayed with the plan … and I just got the shorter term of the healing process.”
McCracken was both efficient and effective leading Republic’s rushing attack, which rumbled for 312 yards on the ground.
“It’s a district championship,” McCracken said. “Everyone dreams of playing in the district championship, and I was just motivated. I didn’t want to let my boys down.”
McCracken’s storybook finish aside, it was Branson who struck the initial blow on the game’s first possession when quarterback Luke McCormick found the outside edge and rumbled 57 yards for a 7-0 lead.
CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE GAME
Republic responded on its first series with a 16-play, 8-minute drive capped by a 1-yard McCracken touchdown rush.
Tigers head coach Ryan Cornelsen praised his team’s resiliency and effort on the evening.
“I thought that’s probably the hardest we’ve played,” Cornelsen said. “They’re a good team, they were physical, and I knew we were going to have to play our best game. I thought both sides of the ball did that.”
A Branson fumble on its own side of the field led to McCracken’s second 1-yard plunge late in the second quarter, giving the Tigers a 14-7 lead and the ball coming out of the half.
Republic fumbled on its opening drive in the third quarter to set up Branson with a short field and a shot at regaining momentum; however, the Tiger defense rose to the challenge.
Branson’s first-and-goal opportunity from the five was turned away on three-straight attempts, and the Pirates opted to kick a field goal.
On the very next series, Republic capped an 8-play, 77-yard drive with an Izaiah Hull 1-yard score, pushing its lead to 11 as the quarter ended.
Following the game, Cornelsen attributed the four-minute sequence as a huge momentum shift for the visiting squad.
“I think that was probably the biggest moment in the game, and I have to give our defense credit,” Cornelsen said. “We’ve got two guys over 200 lbs. on that field, and trying to go against a flex offense – that’s not easy.
“We’re undersized at all spots. For them to get us down on our goal line and figure out a way to get those stops was huge.”
In the fourth quarter, with Branson on its heels and forced into a pass-heavy attack, Republic was able to continue grinding out both yards and the clock, as McCracken found the end zone two more times on 26- and 1-yard rushes.
“That’s what ended the game right there,” McCracken said. “They’re all tired, and we just punished them. Whenever they were tired, we capitalized and we scored.”
Republic (10-2) will continue its state championship quest next week with a quarterfinal matchup at home against Helias Catholic (10-1). The Crusaders defeated Lebanon 30-18 to capture the District 5 title.
C5D6 Championship: Branson – 35, Republic – 10
Branson 7 0 3 0 — 10
Republic 7 7 7 14 — 35
First quarter scoring
Branson – Luke McCormick 57-yard TD rush 7-0
(Dane Efiro kick)
Republic – Preston McCracken 1-yard TD rush 7-7
(Elijah Phiri kick)
Second quarter scoring
Republic – McCracken 1-yard TD rush 7-14
(Phiri kick)
Third quarter scoring
Branson – Elfiro 21-yard Field Goal 10-14
Republic – Izaiah Hull 1-yard TD rush 10-21
(Phiri kick)
Fourth quarter scoring
Republic – McCracken 26-yard TD rush 10-28
(Phiri kick)
Republic – McCracken 1-yard TD rush 10-35
(Phiri kick)
