Senior receiver Devon Akers helped the Ankeny football team to a 39-38 victory over Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium.
Akers caught a pass from Luke Anderson for the game-winning two-point conversion. He finished with three receptions for 90 yards.
Here is some inside info on Akers:
Congratulations on the win. Did you do anything special to celebrate afterwards?
Thank you! I didn’t do anything too special, just grabbed some food and hung out with some teammates for a while.
You told me after the game that your team messed up the final play. So did you just kind of improvise your route on that play?
Yeah, I improvised a bit. I had to get to the spot a bit quicker than I otherwise would have so it timed up right.
What was going through your mind when your team fell behind, 17-0, in the first quarter?
With the dudes we have on our team and how much of the game was left, I knew we were still well in it.
What was the key to your team’s comeback?
We just knew the task at hand, and we did everything we could to complete it. I think it was mostly that we just started playing like ourselves.
How important was that touchdown drive right before halftime that cut Centennial’s lead to 24-14?
That touchdown drive was massive. Our coaches have prepared us for moments like that all year with 2-minute drills and no-huddle work. I was hoping for at least a field goal to cut it to a two-possession game but a touchdown was huge, especially for momentum going into halftime.
Anderson went on to pass for 221 yards and two touchdowns in his first varsity start. What did you think of his performance, and were you confident going into the game that he could get the job done?
Luke is my boy. He’s been putting in the work all summer, and I know what he’s capable of and he came out and showed that. To do what he did in his first varsity start being in such a high-pressure game is very impressive.
That was an unforgettable win for your coach, Jeff Bauer, in his debut with the program. Do you think the win shows that he was the right man for the job?
I definitely think so. He was one of the reasons we all wanted it so bad. We couldn’t give him an “L” in his first game as head coach.
Coach Bauer told me before the season started that he thought you had a chip on your shoulder after missing most of last season due to an injury. Did you feel like you had something to prove this year?
For sure. My motivation has always been my teammates and coaches and people other than me, but missing all the time I did last year definitely motivates me to show people what I’m capable of.
Your team will host No. 1 Southeast Polk, the two-time defending Class 5A state champion, on Friday. What will it take to knock off the Rams?
They have a phenomenal team over there so we’re going to have to be at our best, which I know we can be. If we can cut down some mistakes and iron some things out, I think we can put ourselves in a good position to win.
You also compete in basketball and track. Which sport, if any, are you planning to play in college?
I plan on playing football in college if the right opportunity comes.
Have you looked at any schools yet, and what are you planning to study?
I have been looking at some schools for sure. It’s just been a bit slower for me with my lack of film from my injury last year. I don’t know exactly what I plan on studying yet, but it will most likely be something on the business side.