Pirates win eighth consecutive game with another dominant effort spearheaded by Anders

October 21, 2023 | By Muddy River Sports

Hannibal’s Waylon Anders (14) celebrates with Trenton Cowden (79) during the Hannibal Pirates game against Columbia Battle Spartans in Columbia Friday. Mathew Kirby.

Hannibal quarterback Waylon Anders, right, celebrates with lineman Trenton Cowden during Friday night’s game against Columbia Battle in Columbia, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Hannibal football team looks primed for a postseason run.

The Pirates, ranked sixth in the Class 4 state poll, finished off the regular season Friday night with their consecutive victory, beating Columbia Battle 42-7. Hannibal scored 34 points in the first half and put it on cruise control in the second half.

Hannibal (8-1) will await the Class 4 District 4 bracket with postseason games set to begin next Friday.

Junior quarterback Waylon Anders sparked Hannibal’s second-quarter onslaught. With the Pirates leading 14-0, Anders capped a 48-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. He then tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Aneyas Williams — their second TD connection of the game — and capped the first half with a 12-yard scoring pass to Kane Wilson.

Anders scored on a 1-yard run midway through the third quarter for a 42-0 victory that invoked the running clock.

Anders completed 11 of 15 passes for 179 yards and three scores, while rushing for 51 yards and two TDs. Williams caught six passes for 135 yards and tow touchdowns. Landyn Essig led the ground game with 17 carries for 85 yards.