Hannibal overcomes shaky first quarter to blow out North County, head to Show-Me Bowl

The Hannibal football fans packed the visiting stands at North County High School in Bonne Terre, Mo., for Saturday's Class 4 state semifinal. Submitted photo

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…

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Area Distributors Area Athlete of the Week: Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson

Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson, right, hands off to Aneyas Williams during the Pirates' Class 4 state quarterfinal game West Plains last Friday night at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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…

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Pirates get right back down to business, bulldoze way into district title game

Hannibal’s Aneyas Williams hauls in a pass for a 63-yard touchdown in the first quarter Friday night against Warrenton at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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…

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Running roughshod through NCMC earns Pirates plethora of all-conference honors

Four members of the Hannibal football team's offensive line received All-North Central Missouri Conference honors. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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…

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Pirates overwhelm Spartans from first play forward, stay undefeated in NCMC

Hannibal’s John Clubine, right, tackles and forces Moberly punter Dakota Courtney to fumble the ball during the Pirates’ North Central Missouri Conference victory Friday night in Moberly, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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.…

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Pursuit of excellence gives Pirates edge, while experience pushes them forward

Hannibal sophomore all-purpose back Aneyas Williams is one of multiple weapons the Pirates can deploy offensively. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

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. …

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