Missouri High School Football – Hannibal Hosts Mexico

A traditional rival returns to Hannibal Friday night to renew the conflict. Hyperbole? Somewhat. Over the last four years the Pirates have had their way with the Bulldogs going 4-0 with an average score of 48-12. Historically a rivalry has both teams/schools winning games, that’s not been the recent history between these two. The Pirates have won the last seven straight. The last time Mexico defeated Hannibal was in 2017. Before 2017 these two almost always played close between each other.

The Pirates got healthy in Fulton last week running it up on the Hornets to the tune of 60-0, and will be at Porter Field for the first time since opening week three weeks ago. Mexico manhandled the winless Marshall Owls at home a week ago.

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Both teams coming in off of large wins. Both are 2-2. Both opponent records are almost identical. Is this the resurgent Bulldog team who shows up in America’s home town and changes the narrative and rekindles the rivalry proper? Perhaps…..maybe?

Mexico has already equaled last season’s win total at 2. The upside has already arrived. They will want to control the ball against Hannibal with Jr. running back Drew Demint, who leads the team in rushing and touchdowns and Jr. Quarterback Charlie Fisher is more likely to run than pass. The Bulldogs will also mix up styles in the backfield with Sr. Peyton Hoover. The Pirate defense is coming off a shutout against an arguably more athletic offense in Fulton. That doesn’t mean Mexico won’t score, it means Hannibal should be up for this Bulldog offense.

Hannibal will utilize all of their weapons on offense vs a Bulldog defense that is giving up more points per game than they are scoring (20-22). The mature offensive backfield of senior QB Waylon Anders and RB Mike Ferreira should lead the way with the idea of wearing down the Bulldog defense.

At 2-2 Mexico is the lowest seeded team in class 4 district 5, the 2-2 Pirates are middle of the pack.

With a win Friday the Bulldogs would lift their expectations and image, but a  loss would seem very familiar. A Pirates win would make them 2-0 in the district and build momentum towards the back half of the schedule.

Everything unfolds Friday night on 97.9 KICK-FM and online at 979kickfm.com. 6:30 pregame and 7p kickoff with Bill Shuler on the call.