Washington creates role for himself within Hannibal’s offense by ‘really understanding the game’

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Darion Washington hasn’t had many chances to touch the football offensively this season, but he’s making the most of his opportunities.

The junior running back caught two touchdown passes and set up another score with a 29-yard run Friday night to help state-ranked Hannibal roll to a 40-0 victory over Mexico at E.A. Porter Stadium.

Both of his touchdown receptions came in the second quarter — on an 18-yard screen pass and a 40-yard catch-and-run in the middle of the field — when the Pirates scored three times to build a 26-0 halftime lead.

The speedy Washington is averaging 24.3 yards per pass reception and four of his 10 catches have gone for touchdowns this season. He’s also rushed 15 times for 114 yards and another score in a complementary role after seeing little action on that side of the ball a year ago.

“I was working at it all summer because I felt like I was gonna come back and have to play a big role on this team,” he said. “They need me to make a play, I can come in and do what I’ve got to do.”

Washington was one of several offensive standouts for Hannibal, which dominated the time of possession in beating Mexico for the seventh consecutive time to improve to 3-2 overall and 2-0 in the North Central Missouri Conference.

Michael Ferreira powered his way for 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns and quarterback Waylon Anders had four scoring tosses as the Pirates, ranked fourth in Class 4, rolled up 429 offensive yards while limiting Mexico to just 75.

“We’ve got a bunch of good running backs,” Hannibal coach Jeff Gschwender said. “With Mike, we know what we’re going to get every single time. And it seems like we have another running back that really pops out and has a big game.

“Darion played outstanding — not just on offense, but on defense, too. This was by far the best game he’s played. He’s breaking some of the habits he had in junior high, just relying on athleticism. He’s really understanding the game … and what’s needed out of him.”

The Pirates set the tone by marching 75 yards on 12 plays on their opening drive, with Ferreira scoring from 6 yards out. They followed that with a 14-play, 80-yard drive that culminated when Anders rolled to his right on fourth and 11 at the 18-yard line and threw across the field to Washington, who followed a blocking convoy into the end zone on the first play of the second quarter to make it 12-0.

“That’s credit to our offensive line,” Gschwender said. “Our kids are great about those long drives. They eat that stuff up. They know that we love to being able to dominate a half of a quarter or a full quarter on one drive.”

Anders, who completed 8 of 12 passes for 135 yards, found Karter Reed all alone down the right sideline after a pump fake for a 23-yard scoring strike with 4:54 left in the first half that increased the margin to 18-0.

Then, after forcing a three-and-out, Hannibal took possession on its own 41 with 2:50 remaining in the quarter. Five runs by Ferreira, who had 18 of his 29 carries in the opening half, and a holding penalty on a lone pass attempt put the ball at the Mexico 40.

From there, under pressure, Anders hit Washington in stride at the 20 and Washington raced untouched into the end zone with 26 seconds to go. Ferreira’s two-point run made it 26-0.

“My receivers, they did a lot of work,” Anders said. “Those are pretty easy for me to sit back in the pocket and throw it to them.”

Washington’s 29-yard run after taking a pitch from the Bulldogs’ 44 and cutting up the near sideline four minutes into the third quarter set up a 15-yard touchdown run by Ferreira on the next play.

The Pirates’ final score came two minutes into the final period when Ben Worthington hauled in an Anders pass in the right flat and weaved through traffic down the sideline from 16 yards out.

Defensively, Hannibal limited Mexico to 28 rushing yards on 26 attempts and just 47 yards passing to post its second straight shutout. The Bulldogs (2-3, 1-1 NCMC) logged just six first downs and ran 25 fewer plays than the Pirates.

For Hannibal, the win sets up a road conference showdown next Friday against Kirksville, ranked sixth in Class 4. The Tigers defeated Marshall 40-0 Friday night to move to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in league play.

“We’re going to prepare for them the same way we prepared for Mexico, the same way we prepared for Fulton,” Gschwender said. “Just come out and make sure we’re playing our best game.”