Hannibal’s Williams caps career with fourth all-state honor, four other Pirates receive recognition

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Missouri Football Coaches Association recognized what anyone who squared off against Hannibal during the past four seasons came to know.

Aneyas Williams is the most dynamic player on the field.

The senior all-purpose back was named the Class 4 Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection by the MOFCA, capping a historic career with his fourth consecutive all-state honor. He was one of four Pirates to receive first-team plaudits this season.

The 5-foot-11, 200-pound Williams was named a first-team all-state running back as a junior, a first-team wide receiver as a sophomore and a second-team athlete as a freshman. He will graduate as the most decorated player in program history.

And the University of Notre Dame commit was as dynamic this season as he’s ever been, leading the Pirates to an 11-2 record, North Central Missouri Conference and district championships and a state quarterfinal berth.

Williams rushed for 1,415 yards and 26 touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He also caught 44 passes for 815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He returned one interception and two punts for touchdowns, and he converted five two-point conversions.

In his career, Williams rushed for 4,255 yards and caught 177 passes for 3,249 yards. His 152 career touchdowns ranks second in Missouri State High School Activities Association history.

A pair of the offensive linemen who opened holes for Williams received all-state honors as well. Xxavion Washington, a 6-foot-4, 330–pound senior tackle, and Ryan Ross, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound senior tackle, were first-team offensive linemen after helping the Pirates average 48.8 points and 427.1 yards per game. Hannibal averaged 6.5 yards per rushing attempt and 7.1 yards per play.

The Pirates also had one first-team all-state defender with senior defensive end Kane Wilson earning recognition for the second straight year.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Wilson missed the first six games with an injury, but he was dominant thereafter. He finished with 34 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Hannibal junior running back Michael Ferreira received second-team all-state honors. The 6-foot, 180-pound Ferreira rushed for 1,803 yards, averaging 7 yards per carry, and scored 17 touchdowns. He also ran in a pair of two-point conversions.