Mexico knows Hannibal will be one the toughest opponents on its schedule every year.

That’s why the Bulldogs also know they can’t make mistakes like they did on Friday in a 46-0 loss at their former conference and district foe that was ranked fourth in Class 4 heading into Friday.

Head coach Steve Haag said there was unfortunately a list of examples that contributed to the big deficit against Hannibal (3-2). He said Mexico (3-2) had costly fumbles like on its first drive and less than one yard from the goal line right before halftime and also had penalties that pushed its offense back. Mexico had four fumbles and lost three of them.

“You can’t hurt yourself against a good team,” Haag said. “I think, at halftime, it’s a closer game. We should’ve had probably a couple touchdowns in that first half and at least made it a ballgame.”

Haag said Mexico drove the ball inside the Hannibal 10-yard line as well but went backwards and didn’t take advantage of that rare opportunity against a quality opponent.

Hannibal has a tough offense to stop on the other side, starting with all-state quarterback Wyeth Dorsey. He had 172 offensive yards and three touchdowns when Hannibal eliminated Mexico 48-0 in districts last year and had 250 yards — 200 passing — this time with three touchdowns.

“We got a couple sacks on him and got some pressures,” Haag said. “We made some plays, but he hurt us by extending a couple plays and making a couple long passes. We just weren’t in the right spots there.”

Darrion Washington ran for 153 yards in that district game and was troublesome at times for Mexico, too. Washington ran for 178 yards and three touchdowns on Friday.

“At times, we played really well,” Haag said. “At times, we didn’t tackle. If you don’t tackle someone like Washington, he’ll make you pay for it.”

Kael Smith led Mexico’s offense and defense with 101 rushing yards on 10 carries and 15 tackles. Marshall Ball had 10 tackles, and John Kelly and Travis Shramek had a sack.

Mexico is third in the Class 4 District 5 standings but is behind two tough teams No. 10 Warrensburg (4-1) and No. 6 Moberly (4-1), who the Bulldogs face in the regular season finale. They play at district foe Kirksville (0-4) at 7 p.m. Friday and know winning in districts requires better play.

“You’re going to play teams like that in the playoffs,” Haag said. “You got to have a bit of a measuring stick. We did some good things, but we’re not the type of team that can continue shooting ourselves in the foot. It makes you realize I’ve got to step my game up, not just on the field on Friday nights, but in practice and in the weight room to compete.”