Hannibal pounds its way to shutout victory over Kirksville
HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Hannibal Pirates started off slinging the ball all around the yard at their homecoming game against Kirksville Friday night.
But after sputtering on offense and failing to convert on consecutive fourth down opportunities in the first quarter, the Pirates put the ball in the hands of their dynamic backfield of Aneyas Williams and A.J. Thomas, powering their way to a 41-0 victory in a North Central Missouri Conference game at E.A. Porter Stadium. Hannibal remains undefeated at 6-0, while Kirksville falls to 2-4.
Williams tallied all three Pirate touchdowns in the first half as Hannibal took a 20-0 lead into the locker room.
Hannibal’s defense bent a couple of times, and the Tigers had a third-quarter score called back on a penalty. The Pirates defense then held on fourth down, and Tyler Hardy broke loose for Hannibal’s longest play of the game, a 74-yard touchdown run.
Williams tacked on one more score late in the third quarter, gave the Pirates the 41-0 lead they would end the game with. He ran for two touchdowns and caught two more. Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson threw for three scores.
Hannibal finished with 362 yards of total offense. Thomas had 28 carries for 105 yards. Watson had 11 carries for 77 yards rushing. Hardy finished with 91 yards rushing.
Hannibal’s Brady Zimmerman (11) sack Kirksville quarterback Isaac Behnen (3) during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal quarterback Courtland Watson hands off to AJ Thomas (8) during the Pirates game against The Kirksville Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal quarterback Courtlan Watson (3) throws a pass during the Pirates game against the Kirksville Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal’s Jack Parker (12) brings down Kirksville’s Drew Chrisman (32) during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal’s Kaiser Greenwell (7) tackles Kirksville’s Jaden Ballinger (6) during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal’s John Clubine (4) brings down Kirksville’s Jaden Ballinger (6) for a loss during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal. HHS Homecoming Court 2021 from the left Allie Sims (Andrew Krigbaum), Linnea Brown (Aaris Stolte), Bella Falconer (Brayson Douglas), Homecoming Queen Kendell Locke (Sam Routh), Kylie Price (Caden Schnelle), Marie Sheffer (Isaac Trentori), Abbie Martin (Kendrick Wilson). Kendell Locke is crowned 2021 HHS Homecoming Queen during halftime ceremonies of the Pirates game against the Kirksville Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal’s Kaiser Greenwell (7) catches a touchdown pass during the Pirates game against the Kirksville Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal running back Tyler Hardy (16) breaks through the Kirksville defense for a long touchdown run during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal. Hannibal’s Trenton Cowden (left) and Kane Wilson (right) tackle Kirksville’s Landon Yardley (23) for a loss during the Pirates game against the Tigers Friday in Hannibal.
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