7 minute read
Hannibal pirates
Next Article
To say that Head Coach Jeff Gschwender hit the ground running at Hannibal would be something of an understatement. In his two seasons leading the program, the Pirates have gone 12-1 and 9-3, respectively. Incredibly, last season’s campaign did not look promising during the first month, as the team dropped two of its first three games. “We started off a little shaky with a lot of newcomers,” Gschwender says. “We started playing better by week 3.” After that, “Our players got more comfortable and played very well through conference play. We dealt with some injuries late in the season and lost to West Plains in the quarterfinals.”
With some of the area’s top players suiting up again for Hannibal in 2023, it’s probably safe to expect more of the same from Gschwender and his squad. The Pirates return six starters on offense, and incredibly, every single one of those players made postseason awards teams last year. Junior QB Waylon Anders (5-9, 170) landed on the All-Conference SecondTeam after a breakout sophomore season in which he completed 123 of 177 passes for 1,823 yards, 20 TDs, and just 5 INTs. It’s rare to see a senior quarterback connect on that 69% pass rate—even more so to see an underclassman accomplish that feat. As a junior entering his third year running the system, we may yet see only more improvement from Anders and his outrageously accurate arm.
Class: 4
Conference: NCMC
Head Coach: Jeff Gschwender
Years at School: 2
Record at School: 21-4
Overall Record: 43-18
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Total Returning Lettermen: 23
2022 Overall Record: 9-3
Hannibal Pirates Schedule
August
25 Helias Away
September
1 Jefferson City Home
8 Troy Buchanan Home
15 Fulton Home
22 Mexico Away
29 Kirksville Home
October
6 Moberly Away
The team’s offensive line will be anchored by three returning starters. Senior OL Ryan Ross (6-2, 255), senior OL Noah Young (6-0, 200), and senior OL XXavion Washington (6-4, 215) all made the All-Conference First-Team and AllDistrict squads last year. Ross was even named Second-Team All-State. Don’t be surprised to see all three of the linemen playing at the next level next fall. This year, they’ll be joined on the O-line by junior OL Jaren Landis (6-0, 220), junior OL Houston Morrison (6-1, 230), and junior OL Jonathan Green (6-2, 240). Senior TE Kane Wilson (6-2, 215) will again be a major factor in the Hannibal offense. The First-Team All-Conference and AllDistrict player recorded 32 receptions for 418 yards and 4 TDs as a junior. A big target with good hands, Wilson is one of the area’s most dangerous red-zone options. Expect a massive senior season from him. Senior WR Ashlin Sharkey (6-0, 180), senior WR Quinn Thomas (6-0, 180), junior WR Cameron Davis (5-10, 170), and sophomore WR Ben Worthington (5-9, 155) will all fit in to the passing game as well.
One of the nation’s premier players will line up in the Hannibal backfield for one last season: senior RB Aneyas Williams (5-11, 205). The All-State, All-Conference, and All-District performer put his exceptional athleticism on full display last year, rushing 141 times for 1,380 yards and 27 TDs, while catching 33 passes for 424 yards and 7 TDs. Listed by numerous outlets as the nation’s #1 prep running back, Williams has committed to plying his trade in South Bend, Indiana, next year, as a member of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Williams is a versatile, physical runner who is a breakaway threat every time he touches the ball. Junior RB Mike Ferreira (5-10, 165) and sophomore RB Landyn Essig (5-8, 150) will back this blue-chip prospect up.
The Hannibal defense returns nearly as decorated as the offense, with four of the six starters back in action having been named to postseason honor rolls. The team’s D-line is led by senior DL Kane Wilson, an All-State, All-Conference, and All-District performer. Wilson can do nearly everything on defense, as evidenced by his 63 tackles (an incredible 17.5 for loss), 6 sacks, 1 INT, 1 pass breakup, and 1 forced fumble from a year ago. He’ll again line up next to senior DL Trenton Cowden (6-0, 310), another First-Team All-Conference and All-District player, who put up 34 tackles (7 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 pass breakups,
27 Districts TBD and 1 forced fumble last year. The third returning starter up front is senior DL Noah Young, who finished his junior year with 39 tackles (8.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 forced fumbles. Junior DLs Jaren Landis, Houston Morrison, and Jonathan Green give this group considerable depth.
All-District and Second-Team AllConference senior LB Owen Andrews (5-9, 185) will lead the linebacking corps alongside junior LB Dylan Bock (5-11, 200), who posted 62 tackles (4 for loss) and 1 sack a year ago. Sophomore LB Kason McAfee (5-10, 180) looks set to get playing time as well. Senior DB Aneyas Williams, an All-Conference and AllDistrict performer on defense as well, is the lone returning starter to the Hannibal secondary. Senior DB Quinn Thomas, junior DB Cameron Davis, and sophomore DB Ben Worthington will all vie for playing time. “We have great experience up front with good team speed behind,” Gschwender says.
Hannibal was a good team last year. In 2023, they have the makings of a great one. With one of the nation’s very best offensive players in Williams, the sky might well be the limit. On the back of what might be the area’s most prodigious offenses, Hannibal looks primed for a deep postseason run.
The Harrisburg Bulldogs enter 2023 fresh off a strong 7-3 season. Harrisburg managed to stay undefeated in the Lewis & Clark Conference, ultimately capping their season off with a playoff loss to Cole Camp High School. This year, the team will look to repeat their success under first-time Head Coach Brennan Claas. Claas assumed the role after Harrisburg Head Coach Steve Hopkins retired at the end of last season. Coming from Clark County High School, where he served as defensive coordinator, Claas seeks to lead the Bulldogs to yet another impressive season in 2023.
The Bulldogs were exceptional on offense in 2022 – something that propelled them to several dominant wins. The team will return 15 lettermen this season, with six returning starters on offense. Those returning starters include much of the Bulldogs offensive core. QB Trace Combs (6’4, 165) will return for his junior season. Combs finished last season with 1,550 passing yards and 18 TDs, which earned him third-team All-Conference honors. Harrisburg also sees the return of one of Combs’ favorite red zone targets, senior WR Hunter Cole (6’1, 180). Cole caught five TDs and recorded 299 receiving yards on 16 catches last season. Harrisburg loses five senior WRs, putting Cole in a posi-
Class: Class 1
Conference: Lewis & Clark
Head Coach: Brennan Claas
Years at School: 1st year
Overall Record: 0-0
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 3
Total Returning Lettermen: 15
2022 Overall Record: 7-3 tion for a more substantial role in 2023. Claas recognized how this loss might affect their offense; “We lost a big part of our passing game from last year, but I believe we have the right group to step in and replace them,” he said. The team will add two newcomers to its receiving corps: sophomore WR Rylee Robinson (6’0, 175) and junior WR Bryce Ott (5’7, 140). Harrisburg returns senior RB Hayven Samuels (5’8, 165), who rushed for 459 yards on 108 carries in 2022. Samuels earned second-team All-Conference honors last season and will likely remain a focal point of this offense. They will add sophomore newcomer RB Caleb Sager (5’10, 170) to the backfield. Additionally, Harrisburg sees the return of three offensive linemen – senior OL Andrew Morris (5’9, 185), senior OL Austin Starbuck (5’9, 220) and senior OL Gaven Samuels (5’8, 250), who earned second-team All-Conference honors in 2022. Sophomore OL Jonathan Darwent (6’0, 215) will join this experienced offensive line. Claas said they will likely lean on returners to establish the run as they develop their passing game throughout the season.
Last season, Harrisburg had an explosive offense that propelled them to tough wins. The team averaged 27 points per game, with 113 rushing yards and 163 passing yards per game. Harrisburg will likely utilize a spread offense in 2023, according to Claas. Though the team lost several valuable starters, Claas is confident the offense can establish success, particularly in its run game.
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs only return three defensive starters. This includes two starters up front
– DL Gaven Samuels and sophomore DL Bender Wardrip (6’0, 265). Wardrip registered 19 tackles and one sack during his freshman season. Samuels is coming off an outstanding year on defense; his 67 tackles and eight tackles for loss helped earn him firstteam All-Conference and first-team AllDistrict honors. Sophomore DL Jonathan Darwent will join Wardrip and Samuels on the line this season. The Bulldogs will also return senior DB Hunter Cole, who recorded 17 tackles and one tackle for loss in 2022. He will be joined by newcomer DB Bryce Ott, who is entering his junior year. The Bulldogs defense re- turns no starting linebackers but brings three newcomers into the lineup this season. These additions include LB Caleb Sager, LB Rylee Robinson and LB Victor Shouse (5’9, 185); each player will enter their sophomore year this fall. With a lack of returning starters, it will be on the newcomers to fill the gaps in the team’s defense.
The Bulldogs’ defense was relatively consistent in 2022 but allowed substantial final scores in their three losses (41, 36 and 55 points respectively). The team lacks significant playing experience but coach Claas is confident in his newcomers. “While there are plenty of new faces in the backend, they have worked extremely hard and will replace last year’s seniors,” he said. The team allowed 21.4 points per game last season and will look to lower that average this season. Under a new head coach, the Harrisburg Bulldogs face a unique transition in 2023. The Bulldogs enter the season with confidence, despite a lack of returning starters on both sides of the ball. The program has come a long way since the arrival of former Head Coach Steve Hopkins, who inherited a team coming off a 1-9 season. After one of their strongest seasons in recent years, Claas will look to continue their success into his tenure.
