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

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 Friday’s drive north along Highway 61 from his home south of St. Louis was both nostalgic and comfortable.

“It’s like I pointed my car in this direction and it knew where to go,” White said.

And White knew what he wanted to see.

History and progress.

From any and every vantage point, both were on display Friday night at Porter Stadium.

The Hannibal football team beat Jefferson City 40-13, scoring three third-quarter touchdowns to turn a two-possession game at halftime into a rout. It’s the first time the Pirates beat the Jays at home since the 1950s and marked the most points scored against the Capitol City’s legendary high school program since the two began facing each other in 1933.

Couple it with last year’s 32-21 victory at Adkins Stadium and the Pirates scored back-to-back victories against the Jays for the first time since 1953-54.

“None of us have ever seen this, not ever,” said Jim Scharfle, a lifelong Northeast Missouri resident currently living in Pike County who began attending Hannibal games in 1964. “The stands are packed. You can’t find a parking spot around here. Look at all the people up here. There’s a lot of excitement, just as there should be.”

Scharfle was among 40 or so fans sitting on the hill to the east of Porter Stadium, giving them a perfect unobstructed end zone view of the game. A little further up the same hill, on a higher plateau closer to the Hannibal YMCA, another 20 fans gathered.

Call it overflow seating. Consider it social distancing if you must. No matter how you view it, the unique setting offered fans a different perspective on a state-ranked team with serious championship aspirations.

Plays developed, holes opened and defenders converged under the watchful eye of everyone.

“They’re quick,” White said of Hannibal’s defense. “I mean really quick.”

Robert Dixon, a St. Louis attorney who graduated from DeSmet and joined White on the road trip, interjected.

“You mean they’re fast,” Dixon said. “Really fast.”

White nodded in agreement.

“I’ve never seen the closing speed in the gaps and the holes like this,” he said. “I’ve never had a view of a high school football game like this. It’s really interesting. And it’s fun to see my alma mater playing at such a high level. I heard they were capable of playing for a state title. I think this proves it.”

The Pirates (2-0) were ranked fourth in the latest Class 4 state poll, but now they’ve knocked out the defending state champion and swept Jefferson City’s two tradition-rich programs in the same season for the first time ever.

Hannibal has done it in decidedly different ways. Last week against Helias, Pirates senior quarterback Courtland Watson threw for 332 yards and four touchdowns. This week, he had just 56 yards passing and no touchdowns.

Instead, the Pirates relied on a ground-and-pound effort. Hannibal finished with 429 yards rushing on 48 carries, averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Aneyas Williams rushed for 183 yards and three scores, including touchdown runs of 74 and 54 yards in the third quarter.

Watson added 89 yards and two scores, while Tyler Hardy had 41 yards on four carries.

“I don’t see a weakness in this group,” Scharfle said. “I don’t see a hole or an issue that may cause them to lose. They may get beat, but they’re not going to lose because of themselves. Anyone in attendance tonight, no matter where they were sitting, could see that.

“I’m just glad I got to see it from this spot. I saw a dominant team tonight. That was pretty cool.”

He saw history unfold and potentially history in the making.

That will be the case every week moving forward, and no matter what vantage point you have, savor it and take it all in.

It’s a sight to behold.