Scouting Nixa’s Week Eight showdown at Republic on Friday:
One could make an argument the two best offensive lines in the COC will be on display in this game. Nixa is averaging 8.4 yards a run no matter who is carrying the ball and Republic’s nightly norm on the ground is 312.6. Obviously, the big guys up front on both sides are blocking well.
Along the Eagles’ offensive line, Jackson Cantwell has 49 pancake blocks, Jacob Lile 37, Ethan Cho 24, TJ Eckert 20 and Oakly White 15.
“It will be a battle of the offensive lines,” Nixa coach John Perry said. “They are an aggressive, physical team and you will have to be physical to beat them. They’re not going to make mistakes. They play solid football.” …
Nixa’s special-teams play hasn’t exactly been special. The Eagles’ place-kickers are a combined 25-of-33 on their PAT attempts. “I promise you, we’re working at it and trying to get better,” Perry said. “It’s a been a point of contention all year. Before the end of the year, we’re going to have a game in which we make all the PATs.” …
Republic took last year’s game at Nixa 36-35 in overtime. The loss cost the Eagles an outright COC championship. With a win Friday, Nixa (7-0) can clinch an outright COC championship. Republic (6-1) is the COC’s only team with one loss. “I guarantee both sides will be motivated,” Perry said. “We’ve had this one circled for a long time. We can’t wait. It ought to be a great game.” …
We’re seven weeks into the season and it’s mildly surprising that no one from the COC has reached 1,000 yards rushing, yet. That could change in this game. Republic quarterback Wyatt Woods has 819 yards rushing on 107 carries, while Nixa running back Dylan Rebura has 793 yards rushing on 93 carries and Eagles running back Malachi Rider has 764 yards rushing on 84 carries. Last year, Nixa’s Ramone Green ran for 188 yards versus Republic, while the Tigers’ Connor Sandridge had 133 yards rushing against the Eagles. …
Woods has picked up his production in recent weeks. He averaged 184.8 yards rushing a game over Weeks 5-7 against Joplin, Carl Junction and Branson. …
Rider's touchdowns total is up to 15. ...
Nixa has won 11 regular-season road games in a row. That streak started with a 21-10 Eagles win at Republic in 2021. …
Republic has the COC’s most talented tight end in Memphis commit James Rexroat. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Rexroat has an incredibly modest 10 receptions, but is averaging 25.6 yards a catch. …
The Tigers average 5.6 passes a game. Don’t expect that number to be on the rise, especially after Woods threw two interceptions last week against Branson. …
Republic has lost seven fumbles on the season. Nixa turned the ball over on two fumbles and an interception last week versus Willard. …
The Eagles are averaging 10.8 pass attempts a night. …
Nixa tight end Clayton Pruitt’s 13-yard reception last week was his first varsity catch. …
Nixa’s defense has collected 22 TFLs and 15 quarterback sacks. ...
Eagles cornerback Parker Mann has been outstandng, while averaging 12.2 tackles a game. Mann has 49 solo stops. Safety Spencer Ward tops the team with 50 solo tackles. Lineabcker Zane Stewart is a sophomore who is already putting up good numbers. He's had a hand in 29 tackles. ...
Both Perry and Republic coach Ryan Cornelsen have beaten every COC member at least once. It took Perry three years to accomplish that feat, ditto for Cornelsen.
