Most football coaches would prefer to play an overmatched opponent in the season opener just to give their younger players an opportunity to gain some experience.
Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti won’t have that luxury.
The Jaguars will kick off the 2025 season on Friday with a game at Southeast Polk, the four-time defending Class 5A state champion.
“Our schedule is as tough as anyone’s,” said Pezzetti, whose team will also face Linn-Mar (Marion) and Ankeny in two of its next three games. “There won’t be any weeks off, but I feel like if we play as well as we can and play good defense, control the ball and don’t turn the ball over, we’ll be in a lot of games. We just have to stay healthy.”
The Jaguars are coming off an 8-3 season and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals in 2024. Several standouts from that team will have to be replaced, including star running back Braeden Jackson and four other all-state players.
The cupboard isn’t bare, though. Centennial returns a trio of all-district players in senior tight end Kane Brooks, senior offensive lineman Braylin Dieken-Keahey and senior defensive lineman Houston Luce.
Dieken-Keahey was part of a dominant offensive line that paved the way for Jackson to rush for 1,397 yards and 22 touchdowns. He was named to the District 1 first team.
Brooks caught five passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns, but he could also see some action on the offensive and defensive lines. He received all-district honorable mention.
Luce made 20 tackles as a junior, including four for losses. He was selected to the all-district second team.
“We have a lot of new faces and some young faces,” Pezzetti said. “We have some returners, but it’s a nice blend of kids that are working really hard and doing a nice job. We’re excited for this season for these kids.”
Four other seniors have started for the Jaguars at various times. They are running back JJ Morgan, defensive lineman Brandon Bogseth, and linebackers Will Morris and Nash Targgart.
Morgan has rushed for 563 yards and eight touchdowns on 83 carries in his varsity career. He has also caught 21 passes for 188 yards out of the backfield.
Bogseth made 13.5 tackles a year ago, while Morris made nine stops before suffering an injury. Morris is coming off an all-state season on the baseball field.
Targgart, meanwhile, started as a sophomore two years ago and made 8.5 tackles before a torn labrum forced him to miss the 2024 campaign. He could also see some action at running back.
“Having Nash back is like having another returning starter,” Pezzetti said.
At quarterback, junior Rowan Doak and sophomore Brekken Miller are battling for the starting spot. Doak completed 4-of-6 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown in limited action a year ago, while Miller went 2-for-2 through the air for 19 yards.
Junior Devan Goode and sophomore Max Schmitz are among the others competing for playing time in the backfield. Goode ran 14 times for 70 yards last season, while Schmitz returned three punts for 37 yards.
“The juniors fill some spots where maybe the seniors don’t have someone, and we’re hoping that we have some sophomores that can contribute, too,” Pezzetti said.
The Jaguars’ coaching staff has been strengthened by the addition of former Ankeny player Aaron Baugher, who spent some time on the Hawks’ coaching staff.
“We’re excited to have Aaron with us,” Pezzetti said. “He’s a great addition, and it means so much to my dad (Jerry).”
Pezzetti said he thinks the pieces are in place to have another successful season.
“This is one of those teams where the depth and the togetherness are there,” he said. “It’s a real special group of kids just because of their mentality. We just need to be consistent.”
