HANNIBAL, Mo. (WGEM) – For one day, Mark Twain will have to relinquish his hold on being Hannibal’s favorite son. Because Monday, that title belongs to Aneyas Williams.

“That’s for sure,” agreed Marcus Allen, the owner of Frozen Sippi’s in downtown Hannibal.

In fact, if Twain were alive, the famous American author probably would be watching and cheering for the outstanding young football player for the University of Notre Dame who prepped at Hannibal High School. Twain wouldn’t be alone as the entire football-crazed town of 16,838 preps to watch their native son take to the biggest stage.

It seems most everyone in Hannibal will be in front of a television somewhere Monday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) as seventh-seeded Notre Dame (14-1) and No. 8 Ohio State (13-2) play for the College Football Playoff national championship in Atlanta. The national TV audience is expected to be close to 25 million, according to some estimates.

“I think it’s just fantastic that a kid from Hannibal is on the national stage and doing the things he’s doing,” said Allen, who will host a watch party with food and drink specials throughout the game at Frozen Sippi’s. “It’s amazing to see him doing the things he’s doing and making big plays. Plus, he’s someone the younger kids can really look up to.”

Allen said the Williams’ family are no strangers to Frozen Sippi’s.

“For some of the road games they couldn’t attend in person, they asked if they could come here to watch Aneyas play,” said Allen, a 2016 HHS graduate and a four-year letterman as a lineman on both sides of the ball.

Monday’s temperature in Hannibal at game time will be in the low teens and that will ķeep some fans home instead of venturing out to watch with family and friends.

“I’ll be in my nice warm house with my Notre Dame sweat shirt on, rooting for the Irish,” said Blane Mundle, who played quarterback for the Pirates from 1982 to 1984. “Aneyas has represented Hannibal with honor and has made all of us old Pirates football players proud.”

Mundle, who has served the Hannibal School District in multiple roles as a teacher, administrator, school board president and football coach (1991-2000), fondly remembers coaching Williams’ father, the late Lydell Williams who died in 2016 at age 38 when Aneyas was just 10.

“I loved coaching his father, Lydell. He was a great player and a great kid. He always made me proud to be a Pirate,” Mundle said.

Aside from Williams participation, Mundle has been a lifelong Notre Dame fan.

“When I was young, I would come home from church every Sunday and watch the replay of the Notre Dame game with Lindsey Nelson,” said Mundle, who is part of former Hannibal coach Mark St. Clair’s staff at Bowling Green. “It was a highlight of my Sunday morning.”

Michael “Rat” Fohey, a 1970 HHS graduate, has been a longtime season ticket holder attending most home games through the years. Like Mundle, he plans on watching from the warmth of his living room.

“I’m really excited about this game,” Fohey said. “Aneyas has been involved a lot more in the offense lately. He’s just got unbelievable hands. And he’s found a niche on offense. He’s the best I ever saw at Hannibal High School.”

With no school on Monday because of the Martin Luther King holiday, the Hannibal Public Schools prepped for the game with several special events on Friday.

“We were buzzing with excitement as students and staff celebrated former student Aneyas Williams,” said Hannibal Middle School Principal Stephanie Utterback.

The school community donned Notre Dame gear of green and navy, creating a sea of school spirit throughout the halls. The cafeteria staff added to the festivities by designing several eye-catching posters.

“Members of Leaders of the Crew took the opportunity to interview staff about Aneyas’ time at HMS,” Utterback said. “The day was a heartfelt tribute to a hometown hero who continues to inspire all.”

With Notre Dame holding a national brand and Williams providing a local angle, interest in the game is high on both sides of the Mississippi River. Rich Marcolla of Quincy, Illinois, has been a lifelong Fighting Irish fan and will be attending the game with his wife Lora and daughters, Hannah and Sophie.

“I’m a lifelong ND fan, grew up in St. Louis with Italian immigrant grandparents that repeated to me, ‘God, Country and Notre Dame,’” Marcolla said with a laugh.

Marcolla is such a fan that last summer he participated in a fantasy camp for — in his words ‐- “men of a certain age.” This weekend, Marcolla will meet up with some of his new friends he met through the camp.

“I’ve made lifelong friends with my brothers,” said Marcolla who plans to go back for his “sophomore” season this summer. “I’ve met guys from Canada and Mexico and a wide range of characters.”

Having a local player holding a key role on his favorite team makes it all the sweeter for Marcolla.

“It’s exciting to have a local kid at Notre Dame,” Marcolla said. “I had a chance to meet Aneyas at the the fantasy camp. He’s such a humble guy and I tell everyone I know, ‘Hey, that’s a Hannibal kid!‘”

During Notre Dame’s three postseason victories, Williams has seen his playing time increase because of injuries. Besides being the primary backfield blocker, he has 11 catches for 86 yards and eight carries for 45 yards. For his part, Williams, who has emerged as a key contributor in the playoffs, is excited about facing a stellar Ohio State defense.

“I love going against the best competition and that’s what we look forward to,” Williams told The Associated Press. “I want to play at my best and be at my best against the best.”

Williams is looking forward to the challenge and the edge of Notre Dame’s underdog mentality.

“We’ve been counted out since NIU so, I mean, that just tells you what that’s done for this team,” he said.

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