District 5 semifinal: Hannibal vs Mexico — history favors the Pirates

Following a week to get healthy and focused, the Hannibal Pirates welcome old foe Mexico to Porter Stadium Friday night for Class 4 District 5 Semi-finals football. The playoffs in Missouri are not the regular season. You win, or your season ends.

Porter Stadium - Hannibal, Missouri

The Pirates have faced the Bulldogs three times in district play over the last decade, ending Mexico’s season each time. Last season Hannibal bested Mexico in this match 42-27. Most of Mexico’s team still carries that loss with them. The Pirates have dominated the Bulldogs over the last ten years, winning 13 of the last 14 games between the two schools.

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Mexico comes into the game with a senior heavy team that had to go to overtime last week to dispatch Kirksville. The seniors leading the way for the Bulldogs are quarterback Charlie Fisher, who is more of a running threat than passing one. Senior running backs Drew Demint and Korbyn Dorsey will carry the ball a-lot too. The Pirates can’t stack the defensive line too much as Fisher will throw the ball occasionally to keep opponents honest.

America's Hometown - Hannibal, Missouri

On defense Mexico is led by seniors Kaden Benne and Kelvin Watson, and sophomore linebacker Kael Smith isn’t afraid to get physical with ball carriers. Mexico has a nice group of sophomores that have established themselves as important pieces within the program.

Wyeth Dorsey - Jr. QB

Hannibal bowed out of district play a year ago to a senior heavy Warrenton team in the finals. That team had been dispatched from the playoffs in previous years by the Pirates and had something to prove to themselves. Hannibal needs to make sure the similar scenario doesn’t produce the same result. If Wyeth Dorsey hangs onto the ball and the Pirates don’t turn it over, or take unnecessary penalties that stall their own drives or extend Mexico drives, another win should be in order.  Pregame starts at 6:30 p.m. on 97.9 KICK-FM