Hannibal football team’s defense sets tone for finishing NCMC campaign undefeated

MARSHALL, Mo. — The defense gave the offense a rest Friday night, all while putting the finishing touches on another undefeated run through the North Central Missouri Conference for the Hannibal football team.

Owen Andrews returned an interception 19 yards for a touchdown on the opening possession, and following a safety, Jack Parker returned the ensuing kick 38 yards for a touchdown as the Pirates led Marshall 16-0 before the offense even stepped on the field.

Once that happened, the NCMC title was locked up.

Aneyas Williams scored five rushing touchdowns and the Pirates churned out 352 yards of total offense in a 59-14 victory.

Ranked seventh in Class 4, Hannibal has won five games in a row — all in the NCMC — and scored 45 or more points in each one. More importantly, the Pirates have allowed 14 or fewer points in four of those five games.

The Pirates led 52-7 at halftime after a Haden Robertson interception set up one of Williams’ touchdown runs and linebacker Ashton Watts had a sack for a safety. The Owls were limited to nine first downs, 2 yards rushing per play and committed three turnovers.

Williams scored on a 4-yard run and a pair of 14-yard runs to make it 36-7 by the end of the first quarter. He sandwiched scoring runs of 2 and 48 yards around Watts’ safety. Williams finished with 155 yards on 13 carries.