The Webb City Cardinals scored all of their points in the first half in a convincing 49-28 win over Republic on Friday night in Central Ozark Conference football action at Republic High School’s Tiger Stadium.
The Cardinals improved to 2-1 in 2020, while the Tigers (2-1) lost for the first time after beginning the season with two wins.
The contest was deadlocked at 14, as the hosts pulled off a couple of big pass plays early in the game. But the Cardinals scored 28 unanswered points to take control. By the break, Webb City’s lead was 49-21.
NAMES & NUMBERS
Webb City compiled 419 yards of offense, with 299 rushing and 120 passing.
Webb City senior running back Devrin Weathers once again stood out. A Kansas State recruit, Weathers finished with 124 rushing yards on nine carries (14 per carry) with three touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Cole Gayman passed for 120 yards on six completions with two scores. Cohl Vaden hauled in both touchdown passes and 73 receiving yards on three catches. Cade Wilson ran for 41 yards and caught one pass for 29 yards, while Gary Clinton had two receptions for 18 yards and Dupree Jackson ran for 45 yards on five carries.
Cameron Clark was 7-for-7 on PAT kicks for the Cardinals. Webb City’s Lucas Ott was credited with nine tackles.
Republic finished with 331 yards, with 213 passing and 118 rushing. Gavyn Beckner passed for 179 yards and Landon Porter had 173 receiving yards.
GAME RECAP
Webb City led 28-14 at the end of a high-scoring first quarter.
Gayman completed a 37-yard touchdown pass to Vaden on the first series of the night, but the Tigers responded when Porter scored on a 1-yard plunge just a few plays later. The touchdown was set up by a 58-yard pass from Beckner to Porter.
Webb City’s Shane Noel returned the ensuing kick 82 yards to the end zone before Republic answered immediately, as Porter hauled in an 85-yard touchdown pass from Beckner.
Weathers sprinted past the Republic defense for a 50-yard touchdown run at the 7:26 mark of the first period, and after forcing a three and out, Webb City went up 28-14 on a 4-yard touchdown run by Weathers.
Wilson scored on a 12-yard run early in the second period. After a Treghan Parker interception, the Cardinals extended their lead when Gayman connected with Vaden for a 28-yard touchdown pass for a comfortable 42-14 advantage.
Republic’s Chase Buford hauled in a 35-yard touchdown pass with 5:41 left in the first half, but Weathers showed off his speed once again, sprinting past the defense while making a couple of defenders miss on his way to a 60-yard touchdown run.
Webb City’s reserves gained plenty of playing time after the break. Republic’s Memphis Maples ran for a 57-yard touchdown with just over two minutes left in the game for the final margin.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Webb City hosts Carthage (3-0) next Friday at Cardinal Stadium in a clash of defending state champions.
WEBB CITY 49, REPUBLIC 28
Webb City 28 21 0 0—49
Republic 14 7 0 7—28
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
WC: Cohl Vaden 37-yard pass from Cole Gayman (Cameron Clark kick)
Rep: Landon Porter 1-yard run (Andre Northrup kick)
WC: Shane Noel 82-yard kick return (Clark kick)
Rep: Porter 85-yard pass from Gayvn Beckner (Northrup kick)
WC: Devrin Weathers 50-yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Weathers 4-yard run (Clark kick)
Second Quarter
WC: Cade Wilson 12-yard run (Clark kick)
WC: Vaden 28-yard pass from Gayman (Clark kick)
Rep: Chase Buford 35-yard pass from Avery Moody (Northrup kick)
WC: Weathers 60-yard run (Clark kick)
Fourth Quarter
Rep: Memphis Maples 57-yard run (Northrup kick)
Records: Webb City 2-1, Republic 2-1
Next: Webb City hosts Carthage in Week 4.
