Power Clash: Hannibal Challenges Undefeated Kearney

This is what you put in the hours of work for. A chance to be champions. For the Hannibal Pirates football team, that moment arrives Saturday morning in St. Joseph, Missouri on the campus at Missouri Western State at Spratt Stadium against the undefeated Kearney Bulldogs.

Missouri Western St. U./Google Street View

There are definitely similarities between these two teams. Both prefer to run the ball. Both score a lot and both defenses limit their opponents to 10 points per game on average, and both teams wear their opponents down physically.

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The Bulldogs come in at 13-0, and are led by junior quarterback Carter Temple. Temple is big, left-handed and is just as apt to tuck the ball and run as he is to target a receiver. He can do both. He has a football offer from the University of North Dakota, but they probably won’t be the last school to entreat him to commit to their football program. Temple leads the offense, but there are other capable backs who will carry the ball too. Junior Dryden Hendrix, and senior Corbin Emmons will both get chances. Senior receiver Hudson Best is a favorite target of Temple's, and just one of several sizable receivers that will look to stretch the Pirate defense.

Northwestern signee Tre Hoskins - Hannibal

Tre Hoskins / Bill Shuler TSM

Hannibal has a more seasoned and sizable line on both sides of the ball. Advantage Pirates. Darrion Washington and Kade Hoskins have been a problem for opposing defenses, and Wyeth Dorsey is a threat to run the ball, but he can throw it too. With receivers like Northwestern commit Tre Hoskins and Reid Holliday making plays the Pirates can score.

Hannibal junior QB - Wyeth Dorsey

Wyeth Dorsey Hannibal/ Bill Shuler

Ultimately this may come down to the Pirates defense out-muscling the Bulldogs offense. Kearney has a rich tradition of football, winning 5 state titles already. Hannibal has made the title game twice (in 2006 and 2021), and never brought the championship back to America’s hometown. Saturday morning at 11 a.m. the Pirates have a chance. Tune in for the action starting at 10:30 a.m. on 97.9 KICK-FM.