Senior linebacker and running back Dawson Whitinger helped lead the Ankeny football team to a 28-20 victory at Waukee Northwest in its season opener on Friday. He ran five times for 72 yards, made 5.5 tackles and also had a huge interception as the Hawks avenged last year’s loss to the Wolves.
Whitinger picked off a pass from Northwest quarterback Mack Heitland that turned the game around in the first half. It marked the first time that Heitland had been intercepted since 2024.
Whitinger helped Ankeny to a 7-3 record as a junior, when he placed second among the Hawks with 75 tackles, forced three fumbles and recovered another, and also returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. He was a repeat selection to the Class 5A all-state second team and to the all-district first team.
Here is some inside info on Whitinger:
Congratulations on the win at Northwest. What did that win do for your team’s confidence?
I think anytime you win a big game like that it can be a confidence booster for the team. We just have to make sure that we stay humble, keep working and keep getting better.
I think a lot of people were surprised by the outcome, considering that your team only had four returning starters from last year. Did you guys go into the game thinking that you were the better team?
We had confidence going into the game because we knew the work we had put in all offseason. We also knew that people were going to doubt us, but we didn’t let that affect our mindset.
Northwest has one of the best quarterbacks in the state. What was the key to slowing down the Wolves’ passing attack?
Mack is definitely a good quarterback, but we have a great defense. Coach (Todd) McGhghy and the rest of the coaches helped get us prepared throughout the whole summer and week leading up to game day. I think all three levels of our defense contributed to slowing down the passing game. We have good defensive linemen that are going to pressure the quarterback, and we have good cover guys that are going to lock down and close passing lanes.
You made a bunch of big plays on both sides of the ball, including a 53-yard touchdown run late in the first half to give your team a 21-7 lead at the break. Were you surprised by the size of the hole that you ran through over the left side of the line?
Not really, honestly. Our offensive line has worked as hard as anyone else all offseason, so I have faith in them to create gaps like that for when I run the ball.
I know you carried the ball a couple of times last year, and you’ve already surpassed that total in just one week. Do you want to play a bigger role on offense this year?
My mindset is that I’m going to do whatever it takes to make our team the best it can be. I have trust in my coaches to put me in positions to succeed, and all that matters is that I keep putting full effort in and doing my part to help win games.
Your starting quarterback, Mason Machan, made his first varsity start. What did you think of his performance?
I think Mason did a great job. I think a huge part of our win was him controlling the game when we needed him to. Especially at the end, running the clock out for almost 5 minutes. He’s a great leader and works his butt off, so I wasn’t too surprised.
I know it’s early, but do you think this is a team that can get to the UNI-Dome?
Yes, I do.
I know you committed to play for South Dakota earlier this summer. Did you look at a lot of schools, and was it a tough decision?
I went on a lot of unofficial visits throughout last year and had other offers that initially made the decision difficult before choosing USD once I went on my official visit.