Pirates expect to improve after falling to Crusaders in season opener at Porter Stadium

Hannibal quarterback Waylon Anders hands the ball off to Michael Ferreira during Friday’s game against Jefferson City Helias at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Mathew Kirby photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Hannibal football coach Jeff Gschwender and the Pirates knew Jefferson City Helias presented a tough challenge, but after a 31-20 loss at Porter Stadium in Friday night’s season opener, they know they’ll be better for having faced a Class 5 juggernaut. “We definitely dealt with some adversity,” Gschwender said. “But our kids…

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Photo gallery: Area’s top tracksters compete in Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays

Illini West's Ian Bentzinger, right, and Liberty's Keegan Sunde head to the finish line in the 100-meter dash during Tuesday's Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Shane Hulsey photo

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Waiting a couple of extra days to be able to run, jump and throw under sunny skies brought out the best in many of the area’s top track and field athletes. The Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays were moved to Tuesday at Porter Stadium after last Friday’s deluge made it impossible to compete.…

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Williams, Pirates let stout offensive line pave way to victory over Trojans

Hannibal’s Waylon Anders hands the ball off to Aneyas Williams during Friday night’s game against Troy Buchanan at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Aneyas Williams did not have to think twice about an answer to the question of whether or not he ever feels like a marked man on the football field. Williams considered his answer for a few moments, then smiled politely before responding.  “For about four years now I’ve felt like I’ve had…

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Photo gallery: Hannibal girls take first, boys second at Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays

A pair of Hannibal sprinters race to the finish line during Friday's Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Hannibal yearbook

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal girls track team dominated the field at the Mark Twain/Becky Thatcher Relays at Porter Stadium on Friday, scoring 160 points and nearly doubling the second-place total of 89 points scored by Quincy High School. On the boys side, the deep, record-setting Bowling Green squad won the team title with 129…

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Humphrey carries load for Hannibal football team after Williams exits with injury

Hannibal's Kane Wilson, left, sheds a defender during Friday night's game against Columbia Battle at Porter Stadium. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Markahl Humphrey ran for a career-high 193 yards and scored three touchdowns Friday night, triggering the Hannibal football team’s hard-fought 27-21 victory over Columbia Battle at Porter Stadium. The spotlight was thrust on Humphrey, a senior running back, following a first-quarter injury to junior all-purpose back Aneyas Williams, a major NCAA Division…

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Sophomore QB engineers another NCMC blowout as Hannibal closes in on league crown

Hannibal’s Waylon Anders hands off to Markahl Humphrey during the Pirates’ 53-7 shellacking of Moberly on Friday night at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — When those early autumn breezes began to turn cold, the Hannibal Pirates were something to behold. Especially quarterback Waylon Anders. The sophomore enjoyed his finest game to date, accenting what had already been a breakout season. Anders led high-scoring Hannibal to another one-sided victory, this one a 53-7 dismantling of Moberly in…

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Helias’ ability to control clock, possessions keeps Hannibal’s offense on sidelines

Hannibal defensive back Jack Parker intercepts a pass in the end zone during the Pirates’ loss to Jefferson City Helias on Friday night at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. | Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Jefferson City Helias’ systematic control of Friday night’s season-opening football game against Hannibal was no accident. And it might be a harbinger of how future opponents will try to silence the Pirates, who were beaten 31-21 in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 2,500-plus at Porter Stadium. The best chance to derail…

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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 overwhelm Jays in district championship, roll into state quarterfinals

Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson scores a touchdown during the Pirates' Class 4 District 5 championship game against the Jefferson City Jays on Friday night at Porter Stadium in Hannibal, Mo. Photo courtesy Mathew Kirby

HANNIBAL, Mo. — On the surface, the Hannibal football team’s 47-0 victory over Jefferson City would seem to indicate a rather lopsided verdict. And it was exactly that — and more. So very much more. Hannibal’s quicksilver-like offense, coupled with a defense that is often suffocating, were both monopolizing from the outset. The Pirates left…

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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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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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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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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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