HANNIBAL, Mo. — Above all else, Markahl Humphrey is an honest kid. Humphrey, a senior running back for the Hannibal football team and half of the Pirates’ dynamic backfield combination that includes junior Aneyas Williams, is always aware of his surroundings on a football field. And his statistics. Not only is Humphrey adept at picking […]
Hannibal
The Rundown: Hannibal soccer coach hits career milestone, QND settles for draw, Ritterbusch with four hits for Highland
Plenty of action across the board Thursday. Here is a look at some of the things that happened: • Hannibal boys soccer coach Eric Hill reached a milestone with the Pirates’ 3-0 North Central Missouri Conference victory at Fulton. It was his 300th career victory. Drew Porter, Colton Dryden and DaeShon Glasgow each scored for […]
JWCC Show-Me Spotlight: Hannibal’s Hark enjoys being athlete for all seasons
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Kelsey Scherder Cerven’s suggestion didn’t fall on deaf ears. Nora Hark just couldn’t follow through on it right away. Scherder Cerven was Hark’s mathematics teacher as a freshman as well as the javelin coach for the Hannibal track and field team. She encouraged Hark to give javelin a chance since she already […]
QND volleyball team uses quality finishing touches to sweep Hannibal
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Playing a best-of-three or best-of-five series doesn’t seem to matter to the Quincy Notre Dame volleyball team. The Raiders are dominant either way. QND rolled into Korf Gym on Tuesday night and swept Hannibal 25-17, 25-19, 25-12. Illinois teams play best-of-three series, while Missouri schools play best-of-five. Since the Raiders (18-1) traveled […]
Pirates bury Hornets with overwhelming first-quarter surge in NCMC opener
FULTON, Mo. — An ominous start didn’t translate to an oh-no-that-just-happened finish. Actually, a fumble on the Hannibal football team’s first possession Friday night against Fulton was merely a blip during an otherwise rock-solid performance in the North Central Missouri Conference opener. The Pirates followed the lost fumble by scoring on four consecutive possessions before […]
Cross country roundup: Hannibal boys, girls sweep team, individual titles at Palmyra Invitational
PALMYRA, Mo. — The Hannibal boys cross country team placed three runners in the top four individually and ran away with the team title Saturday in the Palmyra Invitational at Flower City Park. Hannibal also won the girls team title. Pirates senior Cameron Nichols rolled to a nearly 30-second victory, finishing the 3.11-mile course in […]
Pirates unable to erase entire deficit despite valiant second-half effort in loss to Trojans
TROY, Mo. — Aneyas Williams was too upset to be tired Saturday night as he walked off the field following Hannibal’s 42-40 loss to Troy Buchanan. Williams, the Pirates’ all-everything junior star, did his part, rushing for 247 yards, scoring four touchdowns, making seven tackles and forcing a fumble. He came off the field for […]
Hannibal soccer team displays resiliency in battling back to take third in own tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team caught a glimpse of what a potential postseason opponent looks like and proved it can be right in the mix. Better yet, the Pirates also showed how to bounce back from adversity. Hannibal lost 1-0 to Parkway Central on Saturday morning in the semifinals of the 2022 […]
Nine-goal outburst gives Hannibal boys soccer team easy victory in tourney opener
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal boys soccer team set itself up to make a run at the championship of its own tournament. The Pirates opened the 2022 Pirate Shootout with a 9-1 victory over Macomb on Friday night at Veterans Field as seven different players scored. Hannibal (2-2) will face Parkway Central at 11 a.m. […]
Hannibal’s Williams breaks single-game record with eight touchdowns in victory over Jeff City
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked all-purpose back in the nation used all of his tools to get the Hannibal football team back on track. Aneyas Williams did so in record-setting fashion. The junior capable of doing anything and everything broke the single-game school record Friday night when he scored eight touchdowns Friday night […]
Ready to Brock and roll: Evans gives QND soccer team boost in first action of season
QUINCY — Spending five consecutive games watching from the sideline with a tweaked back is not a scenario Brock Evans wants to revisit. “It was awful,” said Evans, a senior midfielder who hadn’t played for the Quincy Notre Dame boys soccer team prior to Tuesday’s game against Hannibal. “Just the thought of it in my […]
Helias’ ability to control clock, possessions keeps Hannibal’s offense on sidelines
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jefferson City Helias’ systematic control of Friday night’s season-opening football game against Hannibal was no accident. And it might be a harbinger of how future opponents will try to silence the Pirates, who were beaten 31-21 in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 2,500-plus at Porter Stadium. The best chance to derail […]
More than 1,400 runners raise more than $61,000 for 27th annual Hannibal Cannibal
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Miles Sheppard of Warsaw, Ill., Blair Lobdell of Wildwood, Mo., Jason Fambrough of Mission, Kan., and Erica Lindsay of St. Charles, Mo., were the winners of the four classes during the 27th running of the Hannibal Cannibal on Saturday, July 2. This year’s event had more than 1,400 registered runners and raised more […]
Photo gallery: Hannibal Y Mens Club’s Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament ends with champion
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The 43rd annual Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament, held by the Hannibal Y Mens Club in conjunction with the 67th annual National Tom Sawyer Days, wrapped up Sunday with Muddy World winning the championship. Photographer Mathew Kirby captured all the action from an eventful final day in the mud. Check out his gallery […]
Photo gallery: Runners, walkers take on Hannibal Cannibal challenge
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The challenge of the Hannibal Cannibal, the 27th annual 5/10/15 K run and 5K walk held in conjunction with the National Tom Sawyer Days, was met head on by all ages Saturday. Photographer Mathew Kirby catalogued the action. Here’s a look at his images taken during the races:
Schuck on a Truck: Hannibal golfer Quinn Thomas talks playing Bellerive and mud volleyball
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Golf is taking Quinn Thomas places most 16-year-olds can’t fathom. Recently, it had him walking fairways once crossed by legends. Thomas, who will be a junior at Hannibal High School in the fall, played in the 115th Missouri Amateur Championship, which meant teeing it up on the iconic Bellerive Country Club layout […]
Photo gallery: Action intensifies during Hannibal Y Mens Club 43rd annual Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The action picked up Friday on the second day of the Hannibal Y Mens Club 43rd annual Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament, which takes place in conjunction with the 67th annual National Tom Sawyer Days. Mathew Kirby, an award-winning photographer from America’s hometown, captured images of all the mud and the muck. Here […]
Photo gallery: Opening day of Hannibal Y Mens Club Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Mathew Kirby, an award-winning photographer from America’s hometown, spent time Thursday capturing images of the opening day of the Hannibal Y Mens Club 43rd annual Mississippi Mud Volleyball Tournament, which takes place in conjunction with the 67th annual National Tom Sawyer Days. Here is a photo gallery of Kirby’s pictures:
Pirates’ Thomas earns opportunity to defend state golf championship by surviving districts
WENTZVILLE, Mo. — Quinn Thomas gets the chance to defend his Class 4 individual golf state championship. The field he will have to topple to do so is going to be loaded. The Hannibal sophomore tied for sixth Monday in the Class 4 District 2 tournament at the Golf Club of Wentzville after shooting a […]
Photo gallery: Incredible performances highlight Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Mathew Kirby captured images of many of the pivotal moments and remarkable performances that took place Friday at the Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Porter Stadium. Check out this collection of his photos:
Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal soccer forward Bella Falconer
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Two goals, a tournament title and a school record. Bella Falconer had a pretty good Saturday. After beating Southern Boone 3-0 with Falconer scoring twice last Friday night in the opening game of Hannibal girls soccer team’s tournament at Porter Stadium during, the Pirates turned around on Saturday and smoked Sikeston 8-0 […]
Wilson’s chance to repeat as wrestling state champ is denied, four Pirates bring home medals
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Neosho wrestler Eli Zar denied Hannibal’s Trevor Wilson a spot in history. Zar used a late takedown in the third period to cement a 7-2 victory in the Class 3 170-pound state championship match Saturday night at Mizzou Arena, ruining Wilson’s chance to repeat as the state champion. Wilson won his first […]
Photo gallery: Hannibal wrestlers compete in Class 3 state championships at Mizzou Arena
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Hannibal-based photographer Mathew Kirby is spending his weekend shooting the Missouri state wrestling championships at Mizzou Arena. Here are some of his images of Palmyra’s contingent of wrestlers:
Missouri state wrestling: Seven wrestlers stay in contention after first day at Mizzou Arena
COLUMBIA, Mo. — It nearly turned out to be a perfect day for area wrestlers at the Missouri state championships Thursday. Six of the seven wrestlers from Hannibal and Palmyra won their opening-round match, and all seven remain alive heading into the second day of competition at Mizzou Arena. The two reigning state champions — […]
Pirates land eight players on Class 4 all-state teams following record-breaking season
HANNIBAL, Mo. — A record-setting offense and an undefeated run to an appearance in the state championship game landed the Hannibal football team with a plethora of Class 4 all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association. The Pirates had three players receive first-team honors and eight players mentioned overall. The MOFBCA honors three teams […]
Pirates relish passion, support Hannibal community showed during postseason run
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Above all else, Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender and his players wanted the community to know how much they appreciated what they heard and saw Friday. “I can’t say enough about the town of Hannibal,” Gschwender said. “I have never seen anything like the support we get. I could not be more […]
By the numbers: A look inside the record-setting season Hannibal enjoyed
Here is a sampling of what this year’s Hannibal football team accomplished: • This was the 10th team in school history to win 10 or more games. The Pirates’ 13-1 record moved it past the 2015 club (12-1) to the top of the pedestal. • Hannibal’s 97 touchdowns tie for 17th in a single season […]
Second to one: Pirates see dream of state title dashed by Warriors’ shut-down defense
COLUMBIA, Mo. — That No. 1 ranking was no exaggeration. Smithville demonstrated exactly why it sat atop the Class 4 high school football poll the entire season when the Warriors overwhelmed Hannibal 31-0 in the state championship game played Friday afternoon at Faurot Field. Smithville, located about 21 miles north of Kansas City, dominated the […]
Just gotta believe: Pirates’ ability to put trust in each other and their commitment leads to championship game berth
HANNIBAL, Mo. — To achieve everything the Hannibal football team already has and could more potentially come Friday, one thing needed to be clear from the start. You just gotta believe. The Pirates had it in their heads they could be a state championship-caliber crew before taking a snap. “I think it came the first […]
We-before-me mentality: Pirates’ collective effort along offensive line creates success
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Film doesn’t lie. So as the Hannibal football players and coaching staff reviewed last Saturday’s 42-26 victory over North County in the Class 4 state semifinals, a familiar site popped up on the screen — Aneyas Williams running untouched for a touchdown. Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, Williams took the handoff […]
Hannibal overcomes shaky first quarter to blow out North County, head to Show-Me Bowl
BONNE TERRE, Mo. — Take a long road trip to unfamiliar territory on a cold, grey November afternoon, coupled with the realization they were a step away from playing at Faurot Field for a state championship, and it’s understandable if the Hannibal football players needed a moment to get acclimated. Two first quarter fumbles led […]
Liquor Booth Shot of the Game: Watson connects with Williams for play of the year
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Last Friday night on social media, it was simply dubbed “The Play.” It likely goes down as the prep football play of the year. With Hannibal leading West Plains 21-20 in the third quarter of the Class 4 state quarterfinal at Porter Stadium, the Pirates faced fourth and 25 when a screen […]
Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The records keep falling as the Hannibal football team keeps winning. By the time this season is done, Courtland Watson will own every significant passing record in Pirates’ history. In last Friday night’s 35-26 victory over West Plains in the Class 4 state quarterfinals at Porter Stadium, the senior quarterback completed 16 […]
‘We’re making history’: Pirates reach state semifinals for third time in program history
HANNIBAL, Mo. — For the first time in the postseason, Hannibal’s football team was pushed. And make no mistake about it, the Pirates pushed right back, triggered by sophomore sensation Aneyas Williams. Williams provided another eye-popping performance, this one included five touchdown receptions on a Friday night that saw him reel in 12 catches for […]
Pirates ready for challenge of stopping Zizzers’ dual-threat quarterback
HANNIBAL, Mo. — All of the attention paid to the Hannibal football team’s record-setting offense has left the defense often overlooked. That’s a mistake. Stingy when it needs to be and opportunistic when it can be, the Pirates’ defense has created problems for opposing offenses all season. Last week’s 47-0 victory over Jefferson City in […]
Pirates overwhelm Jays in district championship, roll into state quarterfinals
HANNIBAL, Mo. — On the surface, the Hannibal football team’s 47-0 victory over Jefferson City would seem to indicate a rather lopsided verdict. And it was exactly that — and more. So very much more. Hannibal’s quicksilver-like offense, coupled with a defense that is often suffocating, were both monopolizing from the outset. The Pirates left […]
Pirates get right back down to business, bulldoze way into district title game
By Don O’Brien HANNIBAL, Mo. — The ebb and flow of the Hannibal High School football season was interrupted last week thanks to an opening-round bye in the district tournament. As the undefeated No. 1 seed, the Pirates certainly earned the break. Hannibal’s coaching staff could tell they had a monster on their hands during […]
Running roughshod through NCMC earns Pirates plethora of all-conference honors
HANNIBAL, Mo. — An offense that finished the regular season on a record-setting scoring pace deserves all the accolades the Hannibal football team is receiving. The Pirates had six players land on the All-North Central Missouri Conference offensive first team and four others on the second team after winning the league title with an undefeated […]
Pirates cap undefeated regular season, begin chase of state championship
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The eighth undefeated regular season in the history of the Hannibal football program is officially in the record books. Now comes the chance to accomplish what none of the previous seven could or had the chance to do. That’s win a state championship. The Pirates wrapped up a 9-0 run with a […]
Pirates reclaim North Central Missouri Conference throne with another beatdown
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The North Central Missouri Conference championship is back where it belongs. For the seventh time in the past decade and after one year without the crown, the Hannibal football team rumbled its way to the NCMC title with a 55-0 victory over Marshall on Friday night at Porter Stadium. The Pirates, ranked […]
Pirates overwhelm Spartans from first play forward, stay undefeated in NCMC
MOBERLY, Mo. — Although the Hannibal football coaching staff chose to rest some guys due to nagging injuries and illness, the Pirates didn’t miss a beat. A three-play scoring drive to open the game kickstarted a 28-point first quarter and a 48-14 rout of Moberly in Friday night’s North Central Missouri Conference victory at Dr. […]
Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates climb to No. 3, Panthers fall to No. 7
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, […]
Hannibal pounds its way to shutout victory over Kirksville
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Pirates started off slinging the ball all around the yard at their homecoming game against Kirksville Friday night. But after sputtering on offense and failing to convert on consecutive fourth down opportunities in the first quarter, the Pirates put the ball in the hands of their dynamic backfield of Aneyas […]
Hannibal maintains spot in Class 4 poll; Monroe City still perfect but drops one spot
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES Radio; Matt King, […]
Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal running back A.J. Thomas
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams isn’t the only threat in the backfield of the Hannibal football team. The sophomore standout, who is getting national recruiting attention, has rushed for 475 yards and nine touchdowns in five games this season. However, A.J. Thomas isn’t far behind Williams in production. The senior running back has gained 434 […]
Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates, Panthers continue to hold firm near top
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, […]
Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City hold steady near top
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, […]
Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams is finding himself in elite company these days, drawing recruiting interest from major NCAA Division I football programs. His six-touchdown performance last Friday night in the Hannibal football team’s 56-35 victory at Fort Zumwalt East elevated the sophomore all-purpose back to exclusive company. Williams tied the Pirates’ single-game touchdown record, […]
Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City represent area
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King, […]
Saturday rewind: Hardy, Pirates continue to make dominant defensive plays
HANNIBAL, Mo. — An offense averaging more than 45 points per game tends to grab headlines. The Hannibal football team’s success hinges just as much on its stingy defense and the energetic approach of first-year head coach Jeff Gschwender. The Pirates completed a sweep of the Capitol City schools on their schedule Friday night with […]
Schuckman: From any vantage point, Pirates’ pursuit of history is sight to behold
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Dick White hadn’t returned to his hometown since … well, it’s been so long the 65-year-old couldn’t remember exactly when the last time was. “I could blame the pandemic for it,” the Hannibal native said. “But that would just be an excuse. I haven’t been back here in a long time.” So […]
QHS’s decision to not play volleyball at Hannibal made ‘trying to be cautious’
QUINCY — The decision to cancel the Quincy High School volleyball team’s match against Hannibal, which was scheduled to be played Thursday night at the Pirates’ Korf Gym, was made with the best of intentions. “We’re trying to be cautious and make sure we get through the year,” QHS athletic director Matt McClelland said. The […]
State football rankings: Hannibal sits No. 4 in Class 4, Monroe City is second in Class 1
Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 15-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Class 6 Rank, team Rec Pts. LW 1. De Smet (5) 1-0 95 — 2. Raymore-Peculiar (5) 1-0 92 — 3. CBC 0-1 74 — 4. Joplin 1-0 54 — 5. Liberty North 0-1 53 — […]
Saturday football rewind: Mustangs run wild, Panthers show resolve and Pirates knock off defending state champ
MENDON, Ill. — Matt Woodworth found it easy to pinpoint what he enjoyed most about his head coaching debut. “The aggression we played with,” the Unity-Payson football coach said. The Mustangs made Woodworth’s first game memorable, holding North Greene to minus-33 yards rushing in a 58-0 whitewashing Friday night. The Mustangs outgained the Spartans 484-119 […]
Pursuit of excellence gives Pirates edge, while experience pushes them forward
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The pieces are in place for the Hannibal football team to harbor legitimate championship dreams. A skilled quarterback with a complete grasp of the offense. An NCAA Division I talent who can play a variety of positions. A bookend left tackle. A dynamic defensive end. A bulldog middle linebacker. A make-plays-everywhere safety. […]
Scenes from the scrimmages
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal athletic department kicked off the fall sports scene last Friday night at Porter Stadium with the football and boys soccer teams engaging in intrasquad scrimmages, complete with the cheerleading and pom-pon squads adding to the atmosphere. Photographer Mathew Kirby captured the action. Hannibal opens its football season August 27 at […]
Pirates’ Williams receives first FBS offer from Oregon
HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams understands what comes with his first FBS scholarship offer. “I definitely know I have a target on my back,” the Hannibal football team’s sophomore all-purpose back said. He also understands what he has to do now, too. “Work two times as hard as everybody else,” Williams said. Monday evening, two […]
