Hannibal and Warrenton will play for the district championship again. “We expect to be in this position every year,” Hannibal coach Jeff Gschwender said.
Gschwender and the Pirates hope it’s déjà vu. Hannibal won the Class 4 District 4 title last year after leading 34-6 at halftime and winning 55-32.
As in 2023, Warrenton enters the district title game undefeated. On Friday, the Warriors will visit Hannibal for the Class 4 District 5 final at 7 p.m. They were 11-0 until last year’s setback.
“It for sure gives us confidence knowing that we’re capable of doing it,” Pirates sophomore running back Darrion Washington said of ending Warrenton’s unbeaten streak.
Washington ran for 105 yards on 14 carries to help the Pirates beat Mexico 42-27 in the district semifinals. Washington and Landyn Essig filled in for starting running back Mike Ferreira, who missed the game for personal reasons.
Essig carried for 125 yards on 20 carries, and he and Washington were key players in the Pirates’ game-clinching touchdown drive that took 10 minutes, 29 seconds and ended with quarterback Waylon Anders’ touchdown run with 1:20 left.
“We had two small backs in there, guys that weigh less than 160 pounds, and they broke tackles and carried guys for those hard four yards,” Gschwender said. First downs were the goal, and they knew it. They weren’t attempting anything major.
They were hitting their landmarks, taking what was offered, and working hard after contact. That made me really proud.” The adaptability Washington and Essig displayed in becoming co-lead backs in that game made Gschwender smile.
“Those are two guys that at the beginning of the year, we’re looking at open space-type guys, playing around with them, getting them on the edge, using them as a pitch man, throwing bubbles, quicks, screens, and they’ve been put in the role of, ‘Now you’ve got to be the dude to carry the rock,’” Gschwender said. “They excelled.”
With Ferreira’s status questionable, the Pirates will likely need Washington and Essig to repeat their efforts against Warrenton, which has scored at least 35 points in its previous eight games and 40 points seven times this season. Five opponents have scored seven points or less against the Warriors this season.
“They’re extremely athletic,” Gschwender said of Warrenton. Their squad makes tremendous plays. They may not want 15-play touchdown drives. They want to hit a big play and are impatient. They’ll throw the ball down the field or look for a big play in any situation.”
Pirates must face Warrenton senior running back Austin Haas, who has 1,880 yards and 25 touchdowns. Brandon Johnson has completed 56.5 of 147 passes for 1,625 yards and 15 touchdowns at 19.6 yards per attempt.
Mason Thompson, Peyton Dawson, and Austin White are Warriors receivers with over 300 yards. Thompson and White have 10 receiving touchdowns. Gschwender said the Warriors’ explosiveness presents issues, but the Pirates can manage them.
“You must monitor routes. Nothing makes you comfortable, Gschwender added. Our front guys and box must stop the run and attack quarterbacks. Our corners and safeties must know these routes.
We merely need to use our technique. Nothing remarkable or weird—just a lot of terrific athletes doing what they do.” Anders says the Warriors’ aggressiveness extends to defense.
“They send a lot of guys like Mexico,” Anders added. “They have many fronts. Every club is good in the playoffs when you get this deep. Their record reflects their talented players. Our game must be at its best.”
Anders completed 5 of 6 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown under pressure, setting a Hannibal record with 297 career completions, two more than Courtland Watson. With two more touchdowns, Anders would tie Watson for the career record of 65.
Anders is 365 yards short of Watson’s 4,825 career passing yards. While these records and near-records demonstrate Anders’ statistical prowess, they are secondary to the task at hand.
“I would trade all those records to go to state this year,” Anders said. I see it that way. I think a state title would stay longer than those nice things.” Pirates must ruin Warrenton’s pristine season to reach the pinnacle. Anders is certain they can.
“My confidence is always high,” Anders remarked. “It must be, especially in my position. Lack of confidence takes down your team.” Anders’ confidence has grown with the Pirates’ five-game winning streak and 7-1 record since a 1-2 start.
“I think we’re playing some of our best football right now, which is important, always progressing throughout the season,” Anders remarked. Starting 1-2 and falling to Kirksville hurt. Nothing like it has happened before. We fought back to win a district championship.”