Ankeny’s Caden Henkes and Ankeny Centennial’s Chase Kluver both wear a No. 5 jersey for their respective football teams.
At least one of them will have to wear a different number next season.
Henkes, a senior running back, has verbally committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. He becomes the fourth player from Ankeny to commit to the Cougars.
Kluver announced his commitment in August along with teammate Max Dickinson and Sam Sandvig of Ankeny.
“I checked out a couple places based off of the camps I went to this offseason,” said Henkes. “It wasnβt too tough (of a decision) as Sioux Falls was at the top of my list the whole time, but I wanted to wait to commit to keep any doors of opportunity open.”
Henkes has helped Ankeny to a 5-4 record this season. The Hawks will host Linn-Mar (Marion) in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday at about 8:30 p.m.
Henkes has rushed for 447 yards and four touchdowns on 88 carries. He also has 22 catches for 210 yards.
As a junior, Henkes was named to the Class 5A all-state second team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association. He helped the Hawks to a 9-4 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A.
Henkes rushed for 1,126 yards and 13 touchdowns on 208 carries. He also caught 29 passes for 258 yards and two more scores.
Sioux Falls is off to a 7-2 start after going 3-8 in its first season under head coach Jim Glogowski.
“What coach Glo and his staff are doing at USF is really impressive,” Henkes said. “Theyβve really changed the program around from when they first started, which is really what made me decide to commit.”