Pirates look to continue trend of being locked in both offensively and defensively against Bulldogs

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | November 7, 2024
Hannibal running back Mike Ferreira is healthy after dealing with some nagging injuries during the regular season and is expected to carry the load against Mexico in Friday's Class 4 District 5 semifinal at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Seventh-seeded Mexico beating No. 2 seed and previously undefeated Kirksville in the Class 4 District 5 football quarterfinals may have looked like a significant upset on paper, but Hannibal coach Jeff Gschwender did not necessarily see it that way. “I can’t say that I was super shocked,” Gschwender said. “Mexico is a…

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‘Landyn Essig is really fast’: Essig returns two kickoffs for touchdowns, scores four times in Pirates’ rout of Spartans

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | October 12, 2024
Landyn Essig had two kickoff returns for touchdown, a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown in Hannibal's 56-18 win over Moberly. — Photo by Shane Hulsey

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Landyn Essig’s encore performance was just as impressive as his opening act. With the Hannibal football team leading Moberly 41-18 at the start of the fourth quarter of Friday’s North Central Missouri Conference game at Porter Stadium, Essig had already run the opening kickoff back for a touchdown, rushed for a touchdown…

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‘He really expects us to be that good’: Early-season challenges bringing out best in Pirates

By Shane Hulsey, Sports Writer | September 25, 2024
Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender goes over a play with his offense during a practice at Porter Stadium in preparation for Friday's game against Mexico in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Sometimes a team’s record doesn’t tell the whole story. Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender believes that is the case regarding the Pirates’ 2-2 start to 2024. “I feel like we’re a little better off than where I expected to be,” Gshwender said. Gschwender’s positive outlook stems from not only the Pirates’ lopsided…

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