Preston McCracken turned in one of the best games of his career to lead Republic past Webb City 41–24 and into the district championship. McCracken carried the ball 27 times for 207 yards and five touchdowns, breaking through a defense that couldn’t slow him down.
Republic’s offense finished with 424 rushing yards and six scores, but it was a key defensive stand early in the third quarter that set up McCracken’s biggest run of the night. After the defense forced a punt, McCracken capped a four-play, 71-yard drive with a 36-yard touchdown—his third of the game—to put Republic back in control.
He added two more scores in the fourth quarter, from six and seven yards out, to seal the win. His first-half runs of seven and eight yards helped Republic build a 21–10 lead, and his steady production helped the Tigers control the game throughout…