Jerry Pezzetti has always started his pregame speeches with the same word during his legendary career as a football coach. "Men," he says. "Just by calling us 'men' we felt big, strong and powerful," said Jon Leverenz, a star linebacker for Pezzetti in the 1980s. "And he would proceed to make us feel unstoppable regardless of the challenges ahead. But … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)
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Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson is headed back to Cedar Falls. Nelson, who was a longtime assistant coach at Northern Iowa before taking over the Hawks' program in 2015, has announced his resignation. He will rejoin the Panthers' staff as the offensive line coach. Nelson replaces Ryan Clanton, who was the offensive line coach and offensive … [Read more...] about Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
In the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm interviews Cole Netten and JJ Kohl about their selections to the Fanatic all-time Ankeny football team. Kohl also discusses his performance at last week's Under Armour Next All-America Game in Orlando. Ankeny Fanatic sponsor Nick Jarosh of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 208
Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)
For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)