A common bond

From Martin Sauer (quarterback, ’45) to Andrew Bergeson (quarterback/defensive back, ’07), Hannibal Pirate football history was well represented during Friday night’s mixer - a kick-off to the weekend’s reunion activities, celebrating the legacy of the school’s gridiron program.
The assembled group consisted of some 60-75 players, who will also meet today at 2 p.m. for team photos, followed by a picnic-style meal at 6 p.m. and a bonfire later in the evening. All activities will take place at the Bar Sundown Ranch, five miles south of Hannibal on Highway HH.
Sauer, who would play at Mizzou under legendary coach Don Faurot, would see his son, an eventual son-in-law, and two grandsons play for the Pirates.
Event organizer George Matyas relished the moment of seeing the past meet the present.
 “Most of [the guys] I recognize, and that’s kind of nice,” he said. “I worked a lot of months to get here, had a lot of help from a lot of good people, but I was walking up here from the house tonight thinking, ‘It’s finally here.’ I’m just letting the thing take its course…I’m tickled, I really am.”
The event not only serves as a reunion, but also as a fund-raiser for the Field Turf Project at Porter Stadium and an opportunity to form a Pirate Football Alumni Association that eventually hopes to award a yearly scholarship to a Hannibal football player.
Among those making the trek for the festivities was Larry Howe (tackle/defensive line, ’56) from Texas. Asked about one of the more memorable moments from his playing days, Howe didn’t hesitate.
“The game when we played the Missouri School for the Deaf,” he said. “It took us almost halfway through the game before we got with it, because they wouldn’t huddle. They quarterback would get up there and sign and bang, they’d go. It was disheartening.”
Howe also recalled the time then-coach Denny Studer, a Mizzou alum, took the team to watch the Tigers play Oklahoma and meet Faurot.
Also making the trip from Texas was Pete Young (punter/receiver/defensive back, ‘70), while Bruce Smith (wide receiver/defensive back, ‘69) came in from Alabama.
Matyas said he hopes the reunion will become a regular event, although not on a yearly basis.
“People have asked about every year, but I personally think that dilutes the affect of it,” he said. “We’re probably better off going every five years and maintaining an active core group, in terms of a committee or advisory board to make the annual decisions. As soon as we close out the turf project, we’re moving on to the scholarship.”