Big 5A Clash: Republic vs. Neosho Head-Turners

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>First things first I would like to thank Coach Ryan Cornelson and his staff for allowing me to scout the game in Tiger Stadium. I had a blast and the athlete's were on full display. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Republic pulled off a 47-35 victory over the Neosho Wildcats, but both teams were very, very impressive. Especially these 6 young men that turned it up a extra notch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2422512,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Noah Lashley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"195","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Republic High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abcf37b8a09f"} --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a262","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abcf47d5fea8","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abcf47d5feb2","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abcf47d5feb9","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a2b0","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well you can't ignore Lashley's stat line of 368 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Well Lashley and myself have been well acquainted over the first half of the 2026 football season, and all due to how good this young man has been playing all year. The battle with the Neosho Wildcats last week was definitely his best game in 2026. Lashley rumbled for 368 rushing yards and a whopping 6 touchdowns., against a Neosho team that was undefeated before facing the Republic Tigers. Lashley's toughness is evident in this Republic Tigers offense because he's asked to put his body on the line right off the guards gap all game long and he just produces.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lashley deserves a nice ice bath after this game, college's are going to start rolling in very fast. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a2bb","hasAcfError":true} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2422515,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='2423206' first='Baelor' last='Cutbirth']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"202","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"210","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Republic High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a35d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Very, very eye opening football game from [player_tooltip player_id='2423206' first='Baelor' last='Cutbirth']. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young gun [player_tooltip player_id='2423206' first='Baelor' last='Cutbirth'] had himself a nice game against a tough Neosho Wildcats squad. First things first Cutbirth stands 6'2 and weighs 210 pounds, making him your prototypical size for an inside linebacker, and when it was time to thump and get physical Cutbirth was completely up for the task. [player_tooltip player_id='2423206' first='Baelor' last='Cutbirth'] made his presence felt in this game by setting a tone early and laying the lumber plenty of times on the Neosho Wildcats ball carriers. I love the way Cutbirth flows sideline to sideline showing off his overall speed and agility in the run and pass game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cutbirth is only a Sophomore and he plays like a player much older, he might gain some college interest way sooner than later. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2098492"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2422516,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a3c7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Young and making a impact early is [player_tooltip player_id='2098492' first='Hayes' last='Porter'] class 2029</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter grabbed my attention last season after having a dazzling Freshman campaign last football season. I had an opportunity to watch Porter vs Nixa and last weekend Porter went toe to toe with the Neosho Wildcats in both of those outings Porter just made plays when his number was called on. He had multiple really good runs where he showcased the patience to let his blocks develop and when there was an ounce of light at the end of the tunnel he knew when to turn on the jets and get into the secondary. Porter also showed the ability to be effective in the passing game showing off his soft hands and speed to pull away from defenders.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Porter is building his name around the southwest region and soon will be a household name in the state of Missouri.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2253631"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2422517,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a41c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Patterson totaled 273 total yards, with 3 rushing td's and 2 passing td's last weekend. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2253631' first='Blayne' last='Patterson'] showed a little bit of everything against the Republic Tigers. Patterson had a great game totaling 273 total yards, 3 rushing td's, and 2 passing td's, he commanded the offense effectively and multiple times marched his squad right down the field against a top ranked Republic Tigers defense. Patterson impressed me with his overall mobility, and creating his own play when he's being pressured. He definitely improved his speed from last year and looks like his arm is considerably stronger opposed to last year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The wildcats are off the a hot start and most of their success is do to the play of the Senior [player_tooltip player_id='2253631' first='Blayne' last='Patterson'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/24072857/691cc1bd12181f06cdda9a2du0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a471"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":2422519,"_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Lincoln Howard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Neosho High School ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a51c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Converted wideout Lincoln Howard had a productive outing last weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Usually when a wideout converts to the backfield, you worry about the physicality you lose in the running game. With Lincoln Howard that is definitely not the case, he brings plenty of power in between the tackles while giving you a bonus in the receiving game with his experience of playing wideout last season. Howard picked up a receiving touchdown against the republic tigers on a pretty impressive grab over a defender. He also ran his heart out from the backfield, moving the chains on a great tigers defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's early in the year, but Howard is one of the best backs in the southwest. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2265071"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":2422527,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6abd15249a5df"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mcgehee was a warrior last Friday night for this Neosho Defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Republic Tigers offense causes alot of problems for opposing defenses because it causes defenders to stay very discipline and be gap sound. [player_tooltip player_id='2265071' first='Colby' last='Mcgehee'] was up to the task being that thumper in the middle of the defense. Now even though the Tigers ripped off some long runs, Mcgehee made plenty of plays in between the tackles to draw my attention. Usually when Mcgehee makes contact with the ball carrier they start to move backwards and drop to the ground, he's a very sound tackler and every college program needs a linebacker that is dependable. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->