Football Game Preview: Republic Tigers vs. Wilbur-Creston-Keller Wildcats

Republic is 0-5 against Wilbur-Creston-Keller since September of 2019 but things could change on Friday. The Tigers will challenge the Wildcats at 7:00 p.m. Expect the scorekeeper to be kept busy: if their previous games are any indication, these teams will really light up the scoreboard.

Republic was handed a 54-point loss in their previous outing, but that didn't affect their clutch gene on Friday. They came out on top in a nail-biter against Columbia, sneaking past 44-42. The Tigers haven't had any issues with the Lions recently, as the game was their eighth consecutive victory against them.

Meanwhile, Wilbur-Creston-Keller faced Inchelium in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. The Wildcats strolled past the Hornets with points to spare, taking the game 54-38. 54 seems to be a good number for the Wildcats as the team scooped up a win with the same number of points in their previous game.

Republic better keep an eye on Dustin Dean. He was instrumental in Wilbur-Creston-Keller's win, rushing for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns on only 12 carries.

Wilbur-Creston-Keller was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 422 rushing yards. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Inchelium only rushed for 80.

Wilbur-Creston-Keller didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off two passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Dustin Strozyk and Brody Nelson.

Republic's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-2. As for Wilbur-Creston-Keller, their win bumped their record up to 4-1.

Republic was taken down by Wilbur-Creston-Keller 70-12 when the teams last played back in October of 2024. Thankfully for the Tigers, Preston Michel (who rushed for 176 yards and four scores on only eight carries, and also threw for 92 yards and one TD) won't be suiting up this time. Will that be enough to change the final result? There's only one way to find out.