By Chris Neyenhouse & Chris Parker
When Republic graduated 18 players from last season’s Class 5 state runner-up team, many thought the Tigers might take a step back with a young team taking the field in 2024.
The only part of that thought that has proven true is that a young team would be taking the field.
After a season-opening 49-14 loss to Nixa, the Tigers have rattled off four straight wins to move to 4-1, as the young team has matured with each snap.
While many of the names making plays changed, the culture did not.
“They play hard. That is the thing that carried over (from last year),” said Republic head coach Ryan Cornelsen. “We told the kids that we want the intangibles to carry over from that senior class. Whether it is a new face in there or not, we want to play hard. We want to work hard. All those things that senior class set that tone they have carried on with.”
Leading the charge on offense is junior quarterback Preston McCracken.
McCracken, who has run the ball 84 times against 25 passes this season, has seen his numbers improve almost every week this season as his mastery of the offense has grown. In Week 2, he had six carries for 65 yards to go with four completions for a season-high 148 yards in a win over Waynesville. He followed that with 14 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns with another touchdown through the air in a 35-0 win over Ozark.
The last two weeks, McCracken has led the offense to even greater heights.
Against Kickapoo in Week 4, McCracken took 18 carries for 134 yards and four touchdowns in a 49-17 win. Last Friday, Republic hit the road and got into a shootout with Joplin. McCracken answered the bell with 33 carries for 327 yards and six touchdowns in a 49-38 win.
That is 51 carries for 461 yards and 10 touchdowns in just two games.
Much of this season’s success can be attributed to a successful sophomore season spent on junior varsity playing behind all-state quarterback Wyatt Woods.
“I think he (McCracken) had a really good sophomore year with our junior varsity and took major steps there last year. Knowing coming in this summer that he was going to have to improve on certain things. He worked on those things and got to where he could make his reads better and faster,” Cornelsen said. “It is just a lot of reps. We do a lot of that stuff in the summer; just rep after rep of reading different guys. We read all different spots. You just have to rep it until you understand it and realize you have to keep the mesh as long as you can.”
While McCracken put in plenty of work, he has also embodied Republic football’s culture.
“If you play for us, you understand you have to be very unselfish,” Cornelsen said. “One week it is one guy and the next it could be the next guy. Being unselfish, being a good teammate and trying to find ways to win; whatever we must do he (McCracken) has done a nice job of it.”
When asked about his mastery of the offense, McCracken is quick to point to Woods who he still talks to before every game.
“I enjoyed watching (Wyatt). He helped a lot. He was a good leader and role model. I think I base a lot of things that I do off what he has told me and what he has done and watching film on him,” McCracken said. “(Wyatt) was the one who taught me how to do (the reads). It is all about footwork and chemistry with your fullback,”
When asked about the six touchdowns, McCracken gave the credit to his offensive line.
“On a bunch of those the offensive line got the push,” McCracken said. “I would say it is mostly the offensive line that deserves the love.”
It takes a whole team, but McCracken is off to a sizzling start with 84 carries for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns through five games. He also has 271 yards and two touchdowns passing.
Up next is a matchup with one of the state’s most storied programs who is also 1-0 in COC West play.
“Any time you play (Webb) you know it is a big game. You know it is a storied program with a lot of tradition and they play extremely hard,” Cornelson said. “We’ve had some big games the last two years in the playoffs with them. Last year at home they put it on us in the first game. Our kids understand what level of team they are every year. We are excited for the opportunity. We know it is going to be a great game and we have to play extremely well.”
Republic has won two of its past three games against Webb City with both wins coming in the playoffs. The Tigers play host to the Cardinals starting at 7 pm on Friday.
Head coach Ryan Cornelsen
Junior QB Preston McCracken
