The Neosho Wildcats will head out to challenge the Republic Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The two teams were dealt some close losses in their previous games and are determined not to let this one get away.
Neosho made up a huge gap compared to their last game against Joplin, but they still couldn't quite topple them. The Wildcats fell just short of the Eagles by a score of 31-28 on Friday. The Wildcats gained 224 more yards on the day, but it was the Eagles that made the best use of them.
Keisean Rhone
| 10/10/25 vs Joplin | 151 |
| 10/03/25 @ Willard | 190 |
| 09/26/25 vs Webb City | 232 |
| 09/19/25 @ Waynesville | 277 |
| 09/12/25 vs Lebanon | 211 |
| + 2 more games |
Neosho's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Blayne Patterson, who rushed for 126 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Keisean Rhone, who rushed for 151 yards and two scores while picking up 8.4 yards per carry. Rhone is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 101 every time he's taken the field this season.
Meanwhile, Republic faced Carthage in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Friday. Republic fell just short of Carthage by a score of 30-28. Republic's defeat signaled the end of their five-game winning streak.
Neosho will have to contain Preston McCracken as he made an impact in Republic's last game. He rushed for 233 yards and four TDs while picking up 9.3 yards per carry. McCracken showed off some serious burst, turning on the afterburners on one carry for 69 yards.
Republic's loss was their first in the district, dropping their district record down to 2-1 and their overall record down to 5-2. As for Neosho, their defeat dropped their record down to an identical 5-2.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Neosho has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 326.4 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Republic struggles in that department as they've been averaging 362.3 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's game turns into a tough fight on the ground.
Neosho took a serious blow against Republic when the teams last played back in October of 2024, falling 40-0. Can the Wildcats avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
