Keeping everybody on their Tippy Toes: Williams uses family dog to help make Notre Dame his college choice

Aneyas Williams adjusts a Notre Dame hat on his head while holding Tippy Toes, the family dog, following the announcement of his college commitment on Friday night in Korf Gym in Hannibal, Mo. At left are his mom, Sarah Williams, and his brother, James Branch II. At right is his sister, Olivia Williams. | Photo courtesy of Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A plastic baggie filled with marshmallows helped keep quiet the biggest secret in Hannibal a little bit longer. Aneyas Williams, the No. 1 all-purpose back in the 2024 recruiting class according to Rivals.com, and Tippy Toes, the family dog dressed like a leprechaun, combined to announce Williams’ decision to attend the University…

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Hannibal’s Williams breaks single-game record with eight touchdowns in victory over Jeff City

Hannibal’s Austin Wilhoit congratulates Aneyas Williams after the junior all-purpose back scored one of his eight touchdowns in Friday night’s 53-28 victory over Jefferson City at Adkins Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The No. 1-ranked all-purpose back in the nation used all of his tools to get the Hannibal football team back on track. Aneyas Williams did so in record-setting fashion. The junior capable of doing anything and everything broke the single-game school record Friday night when he scored eight touchdowns Friday night…

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Pirates land eight players on Class 4 all-state teams following record-breaking season

Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams was the only sophomore named to the Class 4 all-state first team by the Missouri Football Coaches Association. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A record-setting offense and an undefeated run to an appearance in the state championship game landed the Hannibal football team with a plethora of Class 4 all-state honors from the Missouri Football Coaches Association. The Pirates had three players receive first-team honors and eight players mentioned overall. The MOFBCA honors three teams…

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Pirates relish passion, support Hannibal community showed during postseason run

Hannibal fans packed the west side of the Faurot Field stands in support of the Pirates during Friday's Class 4 state championship game against Smithville in Columbia, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Above all else, Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender and his players wanted the community to know how much they appreciated what they heard and saw Friday. “I can’t say enough about the town of Hannibal,” Gschwender said. “I have never seen anything like the support we get. I could not be more…

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By the numbers: A look inside the record-setting season Hannibal enjoyed

Hannibal’s Courtland Watson, right, hands the ball off to Aneyas Williams during Pirates' Class 4 state championship game against Smithville on Friday at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Here is a sampling of what this year’s Hannibal football team accomplished: • This was the 10th team in school history to win 10 or more games. The Pirates’ 13-1 record moved it past the 2015 club (12-1) to the top of the pedestal. • Hannibal’s 97 touchdowns tie for 17th in a single season…

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Second to one: Pirates see dream of state title dashed by Warriors’ shut-down defense

Hannibal’s Aneyas Williams, right, hugs senior Kaiser Greenwell after the Pirates' 31-0 loss to Smithville in the Class 4 state championship game at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

COLUMBIA, Mo. — That No. 1 ranking was no exaggeration. Smithville demonstrated exactly why it sat atop the Class 4 high school football poll the entire season when the Warriors overwhelmed Hannibal 31-0 in the state championship game played Friday afternoon at Faurot Field. Smithville, located about 21 miles north of Kansas City, dominated the…

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Just gotta believe: Pirates’ ability to put trust in each other and their commitment leads to championship game berth

Hannibal senior quarterback Courtland Watson and the Pirates are one victory away from becoming the third team in program history to win a state championship. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — To achieve everything the Hannibal football team already has and could more potentially come Friday, one thing needed to be clear from the start. You just gotta believe. The Pirates had it in their heads they could be a state championship-caliber crew before taking a snap. “I think it came the first…

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We-before-me mentality: Pirates’ collective effort along offensive line creates success

Hannibal’s A.J. Thomas runs through a gaping hole created by the offensive line during a district game against Warrenton at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Film doesn’t lie. So as the Hannibal football players and coaching staff reviewed last Saturday’s 42-26 victory over North County in the Class 4 state semifinals, a familiar site popped up on the screen — Aneyas Williams running untouched for a touchdown. Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, Williams took the handoff…

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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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‘We’re making history’: Pirates reach state semifinals for third time in program history

Hannibal’s Aneyas Williams high steps into the end zone during the Pirates' Class 4 state quarterfinal game against the West Plains Zizzers on Friday night at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — For the first time in the postseason, Hannibal’s football team was pushed. And make no mistake about it, the Pirates pushed right back, triggered by sophomore sensation Aneyas Williams. Williams provided another eye-popping performance, this one included five touchdown receptions on a Friday night that saw him reel in 12 catches for…

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Pirates ready for challenge of stopping Zizzers’ dual-threat quarterback

Hannibal’s John Clubine, right, forces Warrenton quarterback Austin Haas to fumble the ball during the Pirates' district semifinal game against the Warriors at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — All of the attention paid to the Hannibal football team’s record-setting offense has left the defense often overlooked. That’s a mistake. Stingy when it needs to be and opportunistic when it can be, the Pirates’ defense has created problems for opposing offenses all season. Last week’s 47-0 victory over Jefferson City in…

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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 cap undefeated regular season, begin chase of state championship

Hannibal's Kaiser Greenwell hauls in a 60-yard touchdown pass from Courtland Watson in the first quarter of Friday's victory at Columbia Battle. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

COLUMBIA, Mo. — The eighth undefeated regular season in the history of the Hannibal football program is officially in the record books. Now comes the chance to accomplish what none of the previous seven could or had the chance to do. That’s win a state championship. The Pirates wrapped up a 9-0 run with a…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal stays No. 3, Monroe City holds at No. 6

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Pirates reclaim North Central Missouri Conference throne with another beatdown

Hannibal’s Jack Parker intercepts a pass during the Pirates’ 55-0 victory against Marshall on Friday night in North Central Missouri Conference play at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The North Central Missouri Conference championship is back where it belongs. For the seventh time in the past decade and after one year without the crown, the Hannibal football team rumbled its way to the NCMC title with a 55-0 victory over Marshall on Friday night at Porter Stadium. The Pirates, ranked…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates continue holding steady at No. 3

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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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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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates climb to No. 3, Panthers fall to No. 7

Hannibal running back Tyler Hardy breaks through the Kirksville defense for a long touchdown run during last Friday's game at Porter Stadium. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Hannibal maintains spot in Class 4 poll; Monroe City still perfect but drops one spot

Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES Radio; Matt King,…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal running back A.J. Thomas

Hannibal's A.J. Thomas Photo courtesy of Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams isn’t the only threat in the backfield of the Hannibal football team. The sophomore standout, who is getting national recruiting attention, has rushed for 475 yards and nine touchdowns in five games this season. However, A.J. Thomas isn’t far behind Williams in production. The senior running back has gained 434…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Pirates, Panthers continue to hold firm near top

Hannibal’s Trenton Cowden, left, tackles Fulton’s Tyeion Logan for a loss during last Friday's game at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City hold steady near top

Tyler Hardy and the Hannibal football team remain No. 4 in the Class 4 state football poll with a 3-0 record. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Area Distributors Area Player of the Week: Hannibal all-purpose back Aneyas Williams

Hannibal sophomore Aneyas Williams scored six touchdowns in last week's victory at Fort Zumwalt West, tying the Pirates' single-game record. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams is finding himself in elite company these days, drawing recruiting interest from major NCAA Division I football programs. His six-touchdown performance last Friday night in the Hannibal football team’s 56-35 victory at Fort Zumwalt East elevated the sophomore all-purpose back to exclusive company. Williams tied the Pirates’ single-game touchdown record,…

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Missouri prep football rankings: Hannibal, Monroe City represent area

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 10-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Panel is made up of Dion Clisso, PrepsKC; Cody Thorn, The Examiner; Dave Kvidahl, STLHighschoolsports.com; Tom Rackers, Jefferson City News-Tribune; Chris Parker, Ozone Sports; Brandon Zenner, The St. Joseph News-Press; J.B. Connoley, KRES radio; Matt King,…

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Schuckman: From any vantage point, Pirates’ pursuit of history is sight to behold

Hannibal linebacker Ashton Watts, left, sacks Jefferson City quarterback Hayden Well during Friday night's game at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Dick White hadn’t returned to his hometown since … well, it’s been so long the 65-year-old couldn’t remember exactly when the last time was. “I could blame the pandemic for it,” the Hannibal native said. “But that would just be an excuse. I haven’t been back here in a long time.” So…

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Game Night Guide: Week 2 of prep football

Friday’s Schedule Rock Island Alleman at Quincy Notre Dame, 7 p.m. • WGEM 1440 AM, 98.9 FM Quincy High School at Alton, 7 p.m. • WTAD 930 AM Jefferson City at Hannibal, 7 p.m. • KHMO 1070 AM Central at Pleasant Hill, 7 p.m. • Central Illinois Sports on YouTube Calhoun at Unity-Payson, 7 p.m.…

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State football rankings: Hannibal sits No. 4 in Class 4, Monroe City is second in Class 1

Hannibal’s Rommel Pinner, left, and Trenton Cowden, right, drop Helias quarterback Drew Miller for a loss during the Pirates' season opener last Friday at Ray Hentges Stadium in Jefferson City, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

Statewide high school football rankings, as compiled by a 15-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parenthesis. Class 6 Rank, team Rec Pts. LW 1. De Smet (5) 1-0 95 — 2. Raymore-Peculiar (5) 1-0 92 — 3. CBC 0-1 74 — 4. Joplin 1-0 54 — 5. Liberty North 0-1 53 —…

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Saturday football rewind: Mustangs run wild, Panthers show resolve and Pirates knock off defending state champ

MENDON, Ill. — Matt Woodworth found it easy to pinpoint what he enjoyed most about his head coaching debut. “The aggression we played with,” the Unity-Payson football coach said. The Mustangs made Woodworth’s first game memorable, holding North Greene to minus-33 yards rushing in a 58-0 whitewashing Friday night. The Mustangs outgained the Spartans 484-119…

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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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Scenes from the scrimmages

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal athletic department kicked off the fall sports scene last Friday night at Porter Stadium with the football and boys soccer teams engaging in intrasquad scrimmages, complete with the cheerleading and pom-pon squads adding to the atmosphere. Photographer Mathew Kirby captured the action. Hannibal opens its football season August 27 at…

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