The Hannibal Pirates defeated the Warrenton Warriors 55-32 in the MSHSAA district football championship game on November10, 2023.
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The Warrenton Warriors saw their 2023 season end in a 55-32 loss to Hannibal in the district football championship game.
The Warriors got off to a great start, holding Hannibal to a 3-and-out on their first drive, and then Austin Haas scored on the second offensive play for Warrenton.
Warrenton then intercepted Hannibal on its next drive, but the offensive drive stalled, ending with a Charlie Blondin interception at the Hannibal 11 yard line.
One play later, Hannibal scored on an 89-yard touchdown drive and Warrenton wouldn't lead again.
Warrenton trailed 14-6 at the end of the first quarter, then gave up three touchdowns in the second quarter before closing the half with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Blondin to Chance McPike to pull within 22 points.
The Warriors opened the third quarter with a score to pull within 14 and build some momentum, but then Warrenton and Hannibal traded scores before Hannibal finally pulled back ahead by 22 points with two minutes left in the third quarter.
Hannibal then opened with a score to go up 29.
McPike added a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff return, and the Warriors defense recovered a fumble late, but were unable to pull any closer.
Ultimately, Warrenton suffered its first loss of the season, which now comes to an end with an 11-1 record.
A large contingent of Warrenton fans made the trip to Hannibal and stuck around to salute the team that had caputred the hearts of the city this season.
"Be proud of yourselves!" one Warrenton fan yelled after the team was presented with its second place plaque.