Six Jaguars named to Class 5A District 1 first team for 2nd consecutive year

Ankeny Centennial running back Braeden Jackson follows his blocker, Lucas Juravich, during the Jaguars’ 55-14 win over visiting Ames on Sept. 6. Jackson was one of six Centennial players named to the Class 5A District 1 first team for the second year in a row. Juravich was among the nine other Jaguars who earned first-team honors. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Six Ankeny Centennial football players have been named to the Class 5A District 1 first team for the second straight year.

Running back Braeden Jackson earned repeat honors along with offensive linemen Max Dickinson and Gavin Humphrey, defensive linemen Isaiah Bassett and Mitchell Grider, and linebacker Reed Anderson. The six seniors led the Jaguars to an 8-3 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals.

Jackson ran 173 times for a school-record 1,397 yards and 22 touchdowns. He caught 19 passes for 288 yards and three scores, and he also returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns.

Dickinson and Humphrey were part of one of the state’s best offensive lines, while Bassett and Grider were key contributors on one of Iowa’s best defensive fronts. Grider made 48.5 tackles, while Bassett had 28.5 tackles and a team-high four sacks.

Ankeny Centennial linebacker Reed Anderson makes a tackle with help from teammate Carlos Blount during the Jaguars’ 31-10 victory over Ankeny on Aug. 30. Anderson was a repeat pick to the District 1 first team, while Blount was also named to the squad. (Photo by Evan Reiter)

Anderson, meanwhile, led the Jaguars with 83 tackles. He had 48 solo stops.

Nine other Centennial players earned first-team honors, including Sam Heither, who was named to a utility position on offense. He rushed for 171 yards and five touchdowns while catching 11 passes for 251 yards and two more scores.

The other first-team picks were senior quarterback Chase Kluver, senior wide receiver Caleb Reed, senior offensive lineman Lucas Juravich, junior offensive lineman Braylin Dieken-Keahey, senior place-kicker Ryan Bendezu, senior defensive lineman Malachi Curvey, sophomore linebacker Carlos Blount and senior defensive back Isaac Bruhl.

Kluver completed 96-of-148 passes for 1,511 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also made 16 tackles and intercepted a pass on defense.

Ankeny Centennial receiver Caleb Reed heads up the field after making a catch during the Jaguars’ 41-35 loss to Dowling Catholic in triple overtime on Oct. 4 at Valley Stadium. Reed was among the 15 Centennial players named to the District 1 first team. (Photo by Jerrad Downer)

Reed caught 36 passes for a school-record 576 yards and five touchdowns. Bendezu made all 52 of his PAT attempts, which set another school record, and 7-of-9 field goals.

Blount had 40 tackles for the Jaguars, while Bruhl made 35.5 stops and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Curvey had 32.5 tackles.

Six other Centennial players were selected to the all-district second team. They are junior offensive lineman Owen Liechti, junior defensive lineman Houston Luce, senior linebackers Adis Hambasic and Noah Carter, and senior defensive backs Jackson Reed and Cael Woods.

Junior tight end Kane Brooks and senior defensive back Del Wesack earned all-district honorable mention.