If you missed this week’s Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night’s Class 5A championship game with eight different guests, including both of Ankeny’s coordinators, offensive tackle Lukis Beroth and defensive back Kinnick Vos.
So will the Hawks capture their second title in four years and the fourth in school history? Or will Southeast Polk claim its third straight championship?
There’s no doubt this is a compelling matchup. The Rams are riding a 21-game winning streak and are now 46-3 since the beginning of the 2020 season, with all three of those losses coming to Ankeny.
Dowling Catholic assistant coach Andy Pollock told me on the podcast that both of these teams have the “it” factor. The Rams survived two close calls to reach the title game, while Ankeny knocked off the heavily-favored Maroons in the quarterfinals and then held off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial to punch its ticket to the final.
According to the BC Moore rankings, Southeast Polk is an 11.5-point favorite to win the game. The Rams are clearly the better team on paper–they already defeated Ankeny once, 58-21, on Sept. 1.
The Hawks have certainly closed the gap on Southeast Polk since that first meeting, but have they closed it enough to pull off the upset? That remains to be seen.
Former Ankeny coach Brad Zelenovich has built a powerhouse program in Pleasant Hill. The Rams have had some elite players in recent seasons–Xavier Nwankpa, Kadyn Proctor and Abu Sama are now making an impact at the Power Five level–and even though this year’s team doesn’t boast a five-star recruit, there is still plenty of talent all over the field.
Quarterback Connor Moberly, an Iowa State recruit, has passed for 24 touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions. His favorite targets are Carson Robbins and Sam Zelenovich, who combined for 272 yards receiving and five scores in the earlier win at Ankeny.
The Hawks’ defense has been the key to their postseason run, allowing a total of just 23 points in three games. But the challenge for this unit on Friday will be huge.
As Ankeny defensive coordinator Todd McGhghy pointed out on the podcast, Southeast Polk’s offense has no weaknesses. If the Hawks try to shut down Moberly and the passing game, then running back CJ Phillip could have a big night. But if Ankeny tries to contain Phillip, then Moberly could take advantage of single coverage on his receivers.
On the other side of the ball, Ankeny will likely need to score more points than it has in the last three games, when the Hawks averaged just 15 points. Look for quarterback Luke Anderson to try to get the ball to 6-foot-6 receiver Devon Akers, who presents a matchup problem for the Southeast Polk secondary.
I think the Hawks will find a way to get into the end zone three times. I’m just not sure that will be enough. Prediction: Southeast Polk 24, Ankeny 21.