Playoff pairings announced: Hawks to host S.E. Polk, Jaguars travel to No. 3 Johnston

The Ankeny players celebrate a touchdown run by Caleb Alhussaini during the Hawks’ 61-0 victory on Friday at Council Bluffs Lincoln. Ankeny will host Southeast Polk in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. (Photo by Dan Holm)

The Class 5A football playoff pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

Fifth-seeded Ankeny (7-2) will host No. 12 Southeast Polk (5-4) in Friday’s opening round. The Rams are the four-time defending state champions.

The winner of that game will play either No. 4 Iowa City Liberty (8-1) or No. 13 Waukee (4-5) in the quarterfinals on Nov. 7. The higher-seeded team would host that game.

Ankeny Centennial receiver Cameron Meiners (No. 4) celebrates with teammate Max Schmitz after scoring on a pass from Brekken Miller during the Jaguars’ 49-7 win over visiting Sioux City North on Friday. Centennial will travel to Johnston on Friday to play the Dragons in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs. (Photo by Dan Holm)

No. 14 Ankeny Centennial (5-4), meanwhile, will play at No. 3 Johnston (7-2). The Jaguars moved up a spot from the No. 15 seed due to their head-to-head win over Indianola.

The winner of that game will play either No. 6 Valley (7-2) or No. 11 Cedar Rapids Prairie (6-3) in the quarterfinals. The four semifinal teams will be reseeded by the IHSAA.