REPUBLIC — If you lose concentration during a Republic football game, you’ve probably missed a Nolan Lashley touchdown.
The junior running back is finding the end zone early and often. Defenses can’t slow him down, while his offensive line is generating holes big enough for an SUV to drive through.
No. 3 Republic (7-1) notched its biggest win of the season on Friday, Oct. 16, toppling Carthage 26-22 thanks to three rushing touchdowns from Lashley.
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Lashley has now scored 27 touchdowns this season, breaking the school record for most touchdowns in a season. Jerney Jones held the previous record with 26 touchdowns in 2015.
Southwest Missouri has been a hotbed of great running backs. The best teams rely on their backs to win games. Republic is no different through Lashley.
Lashley has seen his peers' success around the region. It has only made him hungrier, he told the News-Leader last week.
“It makes me want to compete more,” Lashley said. “When I go and look at stats, I see that I’m not leading in yards. It makes me want to compete. I want to be No. 1 in everything.”
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Lashley will forever be known as Republic’s touchdown king. Head coach Ryan Cornelsen says his willingness to deliver hits and be fearless sets him apart from the rest.
“He takes a pounding, no doubt,” Cornelsen said. “Running the ball in our offense is not for the faint of heart. He takes pride in that and does a good job.”
The Tigers will face Willard (1-7) next week to close out the regular season. With expectations of a deep postseason run, Republic will continue to rely on Lashley.
The touchdown record will keep moving, just like Lashley’s legs in every pile.
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Nolan Lashley is Republic football's new touchdown king