WEBB CITY, Mo. — Webb City football’s district championship streak has ended at 22.
The Republic Tigers erased a 14-point deficit with 23 unanswered points and earned their first-ever victory over Webb City in program history with a 30-21 win in the Class 5 District 6 semifinals Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.
The Tigers went on their incredible run over a 7-minute, 22-second stretch of the third and fourth quarters — during this period, Republic recovered two onside kicks near midfield, scored three touchdowns, and Webb City only ran a single offensive play, which resulted in a one-yard loss and a safety.
Republic came up with a defensive stop with 3:53 remaining in regulation, breaking up a fourth-down pass intended for junior running back Breckin Galardo.
The Tigers kept the ball on the ground for the final 3:53 and their four first-down runs clinched their historic win.
Republic improved to 8-3 overall and the Tigers will take a five-game winning streak into Friday’s district championship game against Class 5 top-ranked and top district seed Carthage (9-1), who defeated Willard 41-21 in the other district semifinal Saturday.
“Our kids have been resilient all year,” Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen said. “We’ve had bad things happen and found ways to make plays down the stretch. I couldn’t be prouder of their discipline, staying with assignments, playing the next play, and waiting for something good to happen. Eventually, it did and when it did, they didn’t look back and kept going. We kept taking shots, we played aggressive, and that’s how you get momentum turned.”
Webb City finished 6-4 overall.
“We just told them that we love them,” Webb City coach John Roderique said. “We’re proud of them. What do you say? We didn’t get it done today. That really starts with me, as head football coach, not having them ready. We had a long two weeks to practice, but you’ve got to give Republic credit. They made plays. The two onside kicks were great calls and they certainly caught us off-guard.
“I’m just so proud of our guys. Today epitomized our season a little bit. We lose three or four guys, a couple guys anyways, and we look out there and we got sophomores out there. It’s one of those seasons where you have a lot of adversity, you battle through it, and you keep thinking it’s going to turn out alright. Sometimes, it doesn’t.”
The Cardinals took a 21-7 lead only 1:48 after halftime with a dominant, six-play, 73-yard scoring drive that started with a Galardo 30-yard run into Republic territory and culminated with a Galardo 10-yard scoring run.
Webb City’s first drive of the second half echoed the first drive the Cardinals had in the first half, a six-play, 87-yard scoring drive highlighted by a Galardo 55-yard run.
Republic’s first second-half possession ended in a turnover-on-downs as Webb City junior defensive back Cole Cavitt broke up a pass intended for Republic’s James Rexroat.
Webb City’s next possession produced one first down, but Republic’s defense forced a punt near midfield.
The Tigers quickly started their momentum swing on their second possession with a two-play, 81-yard scoring drive in only 39 seconds with a 28-yard pass to Aidan Gregory and a 53-yard TD pass to Rexroat from junior quarterback Wyatt Woods.
Republic then recovered the first of two onside kicks and six plays later, Woods found Gunner Ellison for a 9-yard TD and 21-all score.
The Tigers’ next drive stalled out near midfield after their second onside recovery in a row, but Republic’s Drew Buchanan came through with a 47-yard kick that eventually came to rest at the Webb City 1.
On the next play, Republic went ahead 23-21 on the safety.
Nine plays after the free kick from Webb City, Woods’ 4-yard sprint to the end zone with 6:01 remaining made it 30-21.
“We make a lot of comparisons to what life is, but you’re going to have days like this,” Roderique said. “We didn’t play quite as well as we could have, but you give those guys (Republic) credit too. We didn’t have our best. We felt like we were playing well. You’ve got to be able to overcome things, and that’s what we talked about. We all feel bad. If it didn’t hurt when you lose it dang sure wouldn’t feel great when you win, so that’s part of it. Hats off to Republic, they’ve got a good football team.”
Webb City led 14-7 at halftime, scoring the only points of the second quarter on an Omari Jackson 39-yard TD run and a successful two-point conversion.
The Cardinals finished the game with 304 total and 297 rushing yards.
Galardo rushed for 189 yards and two scores on 19 carries, while Jackson had 69 yards and one TD on seven carries.
Meanwhile, Woods proved to be an effective dual threat for Republic, throwing for 174 yards and two scores and rushing for 69 yards and two more scores.
Connor Sandridge rushed for 118 yards on 19 carries, including a 33-yard run down to the Webb City 4 on the Tigers’ last scoring drive, and Rexroat caught three passes for 111 yards and one TD.
Republic won time of possession with the Tigers only 14 seconds short of 30 minutes compared to 18:14 in possession for the Cardinals.
FULL STATS: Webb City HS (webbcitycardinals.com)
