‘He really expects us to be that good’: Early-season challenges bringing out best in Pirates

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Sometimes a team’s record doesn’t tell the whole story.

Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender believes that is the case regarding the Pirates’ 2-2 start to 2024.

“I feel like we’re a little better off than where I expected to be,” Gshwender said.

Gschwender’s positive outlook stems from not only the Pirates’ lopsided victories against Lutheran St. Charles and Fulton, but also their close losses to Jefferson City Helias and Troy Buchanan, which are both 4-0. Hannibal fell 31-20 to Helias, a Class 5 program, in Week 1 and fell on the road 35-29 in Week 3 to Troy, a Class 6 program. 

“We try to get the best teams we can possibly play, no matter the class,” Gschwender said.

The Pirates’ performances against these undefeated teams from higher classes have given Gschwender the confidence his team is made of the right stuff.

“I can tell you we’re pretty gritty,” Gschwender said. “We became twice as good of a football team after we played Helias than we were that week of preparing. When you see your kids compete for four quarters in games like that against guys who are bigger and stronger and have a lot more depth, that says a lot about the character of the kids that you have, the effort they’re going to give.”

Senior linebacker Dylan Bock said the fact the Pirates even scheduled these games in the first place is evidence of the coaching staff’s belief in them.

“Coach G schedules those games for a reason, which is to get us better,” Bock said. “He knows that we can play up to that skill level, that we can play up to those bigger schools. He really expects us to be that good.”

While Gschwender didn’t want to play the what-if game, there were moments in both the Helias and Troy games which could have altered the outcome. The Pirates had a possession in each game that reached the opponent’s 10-yard line and did not result in points. In the final seconds of the first half against Troy, Pirates receiver Karter Reed dropped a deep pass in the end zone.

“They understand those little mistakes can lose big games like that against really good teams,” Gschwender said. “Because of those games, we’ve matured quite a bit, a lot more than where I expected to be right now.”

These mistakes frustrated but didn’t discourage Pirates junior offensive lineman Patrick Arthaud.

“We just kind of shot ourselves in the foot when it really mattered,” Arthaud said. “I think once we get into conference play, we’ll bounce back well and get on a hot streak going into districts.”

While those miscues taught the Pirates a lot about themselves, they are in the rearview mirror. The Pirates’ focus turns to their North Central Missouri Conference bout with Mexico this Friday at Porter Stadium. It will be their first home game since the season opener, a welcome feeling for Bock.

“We haven’t been on this field other than practicing for three weeks, so it feels really good to be back playing at home where I can just go straight home after the game, don’t have to worry about travelling back or getting food,” Bock said. “Everyone can just go home after we play a good game.”

Playing at home also means the Hannibal crowd will be at full force.

“All of our home games are electric,” Bock said. “With all the fans being packed, all the people that you know, or people in the student section with your number on their chest, it’s just great.”

Gschwender said the Pirates and Bulldogs (2-2, 1-0 NCMC) have comparable approaches to trying to control the pace of the game. Mexico is averaging 194 yards rushing per game with junior running back Drew DeMint averaging 7.6 yards per carry with four touchdowns and junior Korbyn Dorsey averaging 6.1 yards per carry with three touchdowns.

“They’re kind of similar to us when it comes to the option game,” Gschwender said. “They’re fine getting 3 or 4 yards and having a 15-play drive that takes up an entire quarter.”

Gschwender believes winning the first play of each series will be crucial.

 “We have to win on first down, both on offense and defense,” Gschwender said. “When you’re calling option football, 2nd and 10 is a much harder play call than 2nd and 6.”

Arthaud is confident the Pirates can win enough of those battles to win the war.

“I think we should be able to handle them,” Arthaud said. “They’re going to try to control the ball. We just need to play well on defense, get some stops and get the offense going early.”