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Offense and defense, 'We all had a part in it,' Depee laments after loss at Republic

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REPUBLIC - Despite Kaden Powers' re-emergence, Ozark was overpowered at times in its 51-13 loss Friday by Republic's running backs and its defensive line.

Ozark managed a modest 133 yards of total offense, was guilty of 11 plays that resulted in loss yardage, fumbled on its opening offensive series for the second straight week and surrendered 333 yards rushing to Republic.

For the second time in as many weeks, Ozark (0-2) was on the wrong end of the turbo clock being in effect.

"The fundamental aspects — block obstruction and making tackles — are a big deal on the defensive side, as are blocking assignments and hitting our reads on the offensive side," coach Chad Depee said. "We all had a part in it. The boys know the fundamentals. We just have to execute."

Ozark defenders often found themselves in position to make a stop, but all too often a missed tackle ensued.

Republic (1-1) repeatedly converted on third- and fourth-down short yardage runs en route to jumping on top 14-0 in the first quarter and reeling off 23 unanswered points to close out the contest.

"We did not get those stops we needed," linebacker Brock Dodd said. "We had a lot of missed tackles, You can't do any arm tackling. You've got to run through (the ball-carrier) and hit low. You've got to hit kids hard. You're not going to arm-tackle at the varsity level.

"We've got to do a lot of gang-tackling, too," he added. "It can't just be one-on-one tackles. We want to have four or five guys on the ball-carrier. Our defense is a lot better than what we've shown on the field."

Ozark was within two touchdowns, 28-13, midway through the third quarter, thanks to a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brady Dodd to Powers in the second quarter and a one-yard touchdown run by Dodd in the third period.

For Powers, it was his first varsity touchdown.

"We've got a lot of work to do," he said. "On a personal level, though, it was a good feeling."

"He's coming in as a senior and we coach him hard," Depee said of Powers, a senior who is seeing time at running back and wideout. "He's continually growing and he's accepted that we love him and we're going to coach him hard to try to make him better, I see growth in him every week."

Powers' biggest game prior to Friday was in last season's visit to Webb City. He had 14 carries for 41 yards and added one catch for eight yards against the eventual Class 5 state champion Cardinals.

"That was a big confidence builder," Powers said. "I always referenced that game and other moments. That game in particular bled into the off-season work I put in for this season."

Republic received 112 yards rushing from Wyatt Woods and 88 from Connor Sandiridge.

"They got off the football and their running backs ran hard. They won the physical battle tonight," Depee said. "We knew that was something that was going to be an issue, with both teams (featuring) similar styles. We never did get them stopped. They did a good job of being physical and ran their offense. We had our chance to pull within a score, try to put the pressure on them and gain the momentum. But we never get the momentum to swing our way."

"We made it a close game up until the fourth quarter," Powers said. "It kind of fell apart for us in the fourth quarter. There's definitely a lot of improvement we can make." 

Republic 51, Ozark 13

Scoring

R - Woods 3 run

R - Sandridge 15 run 

O - Powers 22 pass from Dodd 

R - Ellison 8 run

R - Woods 8 run 

O - Dodd 1 run (kick no good)

R - Woods 29 run 

R - Rexroat 61 pass from Woods

R - Meads 20 run

R - Safety


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