Practice Starts for Hannibal Pirate Football 2016

Practice is underway for the 2016 Hannibal Pirates.

Players are in t-shirts and helmets today and Tuesday followed by three days in uppers. Full pads come on Saturday. As with all high school programs every year, there are holes to fill. Hannibal has to replace several seniors from 2015 highlighted by Dylan Powell who is now working at center at Stanford and Jerry McBride who is a defensive back at Bowling Green.

The Pirates do return some solid players. Shamar Griffith ran for 2513 yards as a junior last year. Trevor Watson saw significant time at quarterback. He ran for 113 yards on 22 carries. Watson’s passing line was decent too. 11 of 23 for 210 yards and three touchdowns.

Coach Mark St. Clair says his biggest questions as August practice starts are at wide receiver and along the offensive line. St. Clair is also looking for some answers along the defensive line and some depth at linebacker.

Hannibal hosts a jamboree at 6 p.m. on Friday August 12. Hannibal opens the 2016 season at home on Friday August 19th against Helias. Kickoff time is at 7 p-m at Porter Stadium.