Senior defensive end Isaiah Bassett helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 31-10 victory over Ankeny on Friday. The Jaguars intercepted two passes and allowed no points over the final 34 minutes.
As a junior, Bassett made 38 tackles–including a team-high 7.5 sacks–while also averaging 37.0 yards as the Jaguars’ punter. He was a first-team all-district selection.
Here is some inside info on Bassett:
Congratulations on the win over Ankeny. Did you do anything special to celebrate afterwards?
I didn’t do too much to celebrate other then getting (fired up) in the locker room with my teammates and just enjoying the win with my family.
How much motivation did the two losses to Ankeny last year provide for you in the offseason?
Those last two losses really broke me last year and was really the only thing on my mind for this upcoming game. I know that this is a team game, but I blame myself for our first loss to them last year and ever since then I vowed to myself that I will do anything I can to beat them.
Your defense held the Hawks to just 26 yards on the ground. Did you feel like it was important to shut down their running game and make them one dimensional?
Yes, I believe that stopping the run is the (most important) thing to winning a game. A lot of teams are better in the run game than the pass game so stopping the run just allows them to risk more when passing.
You also had a good game punting the ball. When did you first start kicking, and what has been the key to your success in that role?
I started punting back in ninth grade when our team was looking for a punter, and I just picked up a ball and kicked it and it went pretty far. My key to success in punting has just been listening to my coaches and learning from them.
Isaac Bruhl and Malachi Curvey each had an interception for the Jaguars. Do you feel like this defense will be able to create a lot of turnovers this season?
I think we have the best defense in the state, and I do believe that in future games we will be able to make teams commit a lot more turnovers.
Malachi has added another weapon to the defense after moving back to Ankeny from Waukee. Do you enjoy having him on the opposite end of the defensive line, and do you think the two of you will be able to generate a potent pass rush?
I am very happy to have Malachi back in gray, white and black. I do believe me and him have a great chance to become an amazing pass rushing duo. It’s hard for teams to plan for two fast pass rushers, so I’m hoping that we’ll be able to find our way to the quarterback later this season.
Your teammate, Braeden Jackson, was named the player of the game after rushing for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Do you think he can become one of the state’s best running backs, if he isn’t already?
I believe that Braeden is already the best running back in the state, and (this game) proved so against one of the top teams. I don’t think he can be stopped once he gets going. But it also helps because I believe we have one of the best (offensive) lines in the state. Shoutout to Gavin Humphrey for leading the Jags o-line in helping Braeden have that amazing game.
Your quarterback, Chase Kluver, was able to play most of the game on both sides of the ball–since he also starts at defensive back. Do you think most people realize how difficult of a chore that is?
I think that most people don’t understand what really goes into being a two-way player and how difficult it is–you defend passes on defense and then go right back to running an offense. Chase is an amazing player both ways, and I’m excited to see him keep playing both ways.
I saw in your tweet that you were invited by Iowa State to the Cyclones’ game on Saturday. Did you enjoy the experience?
Yes, it was a very enjoyable experience. I like Iowa State and their program and how things are ran, and it is a school I would be very interested in attending.
Where are you at in the recruiting process? Have you talked to a lot of schools?
I’m near the middle of my recruiting process, but I’m still trying to find a home. I haven’t gotten any offers. But I’m still very confident in my abilities to get some offers toward the end of the season. I have talked to a bunch of schools with Missouri, Nebraska, Iowa, Iowa State and Kansas State being the main schools I’m interested in.
Do you know what you want to study in college?
I’m not sure yet, but I will also be working toward getting my real estate license as I’m very interested in being a real estate agent.
