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Football

Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

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Karsten Bernholtz didn't join the Ankeny football team until his senior year. The defensive end made enough of an impact, though, to earn an opportunity to take his skills to the next level. Bernholtz has committed to play next year for Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. He becomes the second Hawk in the Tritons' recruiting class, following … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Bernholtz to join teammate Hill in Iowa Central’s football recruiting class

‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton

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Ankeny linebacker Tristan Hill has committed to play football at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge. Hill helped the Hawks to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals last season. "I looked at quite a few schools all the way from JUCO and NAIA up to D2 so I got to experience the different levels a little bit throughout my … [Read more...] about ‘They all showed they cared’: Iowa Central coaches convince Hill to become a Triton

Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA

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Following Wednesday morning’s Zoom meeting of the IHSAA Board of Control, district and group assignments for the 2025 and 2026 football seasons are now available. Districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle. This will be the second cycle with a socioeconomic factor added for football classifications. Approved in 2023 by the State … [Read more...] about Group assignments for 2025 and 2026 football seasons announced by IHSAA

‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch

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Ankeny offensive lineman Jack Dorfler has committed to play football next year at Central College. Dorfler announced his future plans on social media Friday. "It's a relief that I made my decision," he said. Dorfler helped Ankeny to a 6-5 record last season. The Hawks reached the Class 5A quarterfinals. Dorfler, who was named to the District 6 … [Read more...] about ‘I really like the culture that Central has’: Ankeny’s Dorfler to play football for Dutch

‘It’s super nice to stay close to home’: Randolph commits to play for Grand View

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Ankeny senior Mason Randolph played on both sides of the ball during his high school football career. His future, though, appears to be as a defensive back. Randolph has verbally committed to play for Grand View, which recruited him to become a part of the Vikings' secondary. "It was a tough decision, but the right one," said … [Read more...] about ‘It’s super nice to stay close to home’: Randolph commits to play for Grand View

‘I loved the bond that their players have’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to Quincy

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"Once a Hawk, Always a Hawk." For Ankeny defensive back Mykal Johnson, that phrase actually describes his transition next year to the collegiate level. The 5-foot-8, 175-pound senior has announced his verbal commitment to play football for the Quincy University Hawks of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the bond that their players have’: Ankeny’s Johnson commits to Quincy

KICKERS COMMIT: Harrington to play for SDSU; Bendezu headed to Concordia

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The standout kickers on the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams have made their college choices. Ankeny's Ryan Harrington has verbally committed to South Dakota State. "I was going all over the place in the Midwest ranging from D2 and D3 teams," said Harrington. "I had lots of visits and got to see different cultures … [Read more...] about KICKERS COMMIT: Harrington to play for SDSU; Bendezu headed to Concordia

‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

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Former Ankeny football standout Ryan Crandall is headed to Cedar Falls. One of the most productive linebackers at the NCAA Division I FCS level last season, Crandall announced on Wednesday that he will play next year at Northern Iowa under new head coach Todd Stepsis. "I looked at a handful of schools," said Crandall, who started 26 games in three … [Read more...] about ‘It kind of feels like a full circle moment for me’: Crandall commits to Panthers

Beroth follows in Anderson’s footsteps, commits to play for Northwestern College

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About a month after teammate Luke Anderson committed to play football at Northwestern College, Ankeny offensive lineman Lukis Beroth committed to the Red Raiders as well. Beroth announced his decision on Friday. Last weekend, he attended Northwestern's quarterfinal game against Grand View in the NAIA Championship Series along with Anderson, the Hawks' … [Read more...] about Beroth follows in Anderson’s footsteps, commits to play for Northwestern College

Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

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Ankeny football standout Lukis Beroth has been named to the Class 5A all-state first team for the second year in a row by the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Beroth, a senior, was the anchor of the Hawks' offensive line. He helped the team to a 6-5 record and a trip to the Class 5A quarterfinals. Beroth was joined on the first team by teammates Ryan … [Read more...] about Beroth named to Class 5A all-state first team by IFCA for 2nd consecutive year

Ankeny’s Beroth, Harrington, Larmie earn repeat first-team honors in 5A District 6

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The Ankeny football squad placed eight players on the Class 5A District 6 first team, including a trio of repeat picks in senior offensive lineman Lukis Beroth, senior place-kicker Ryan Harrington and junior running back Daniel Larmie. Harrington converted all 27 of his PAT attempts and 11-of-15 field goals while also recording 31 touchbacks on 45 … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Beroth, Harrington, Larmie earn repeat first-team honors in 5A District 6

‘Just the start, Go Red Raiders’: Anderson commits to play for Northwestern College

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Ankeny quarterback Luke Anderson played in the Class 5A state championship game a year ago. Now, the senior will be joining a collegiate program that often competes for national titles. Anderson announced on Friday that he has verbally committed to play football at Northwestern College, which has played in three of the last four NAIA championship games … [Read more...] about ‘Just the start, Go Red Raiders’: Anderson commits to play for Northwestern College

‘We didn’t play our best’: Hawks close out season with 21-13 loss at Iowa City Liberty

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After coming off a Class 5A championship game appearance, the Ankeny Hawks planned on finishing their 2024 football season at the UNI-Dome. Things didn’t necessarily end up happening how the Hawks wanted to as their season ended about 83 miles southeast of Cedar Falls in Iowa City, just one game shy of returning to the … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play our best’: Hawks close out season with 21-13 loss at Iowa City Liberty

‘I knew he was ready to break out’: Larmie runs for 279 yards, 4 TDs in Hawks’ victory

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Ankeny Centennial's Braeden Jackson put on a show Friday night at Ankeny Stadium. Over the next few hours, Ankeny's Daniel Larmie proved to be just as spectacular. The junior running back rushed for 279 yards and four touchdowns to lead the eighth-seeded Hawks to a 47-21 victory over No. 9 Linn-Mar (Marion) in the nightcap of a first-round Class 5A … [Read more...] about ‘I knew he was ready to break out’: Larmie runs for 279 yards, 4 TDs in Hawks’ victory

‘They’ve really changed the program’: Henkes joins Ankeny parade to Sioux Falls

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Ankeny's Caden Henkes and Ankeny Centennial's Chase Kluver both wear a No. 5 jersey for their respective football teams. At least one of them will have to wear a different number next season. Henkes, a senior running back, has verbally committed to play for the University of Sioux Falls. He becomes the fourth player from Ankeny to commit to the … [Read more...] about ‘They’ve really changed the program’: Henkes joins Ankeny parade to Sioux Falls

Hawks weather lightning delay, gear up for playoffs with rout over C.R. Washington

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The Ankeny football team was hoping to get an extra day of rest prior to the start of the postseason. But those plans went out the window after Thursday's game against Cedar Rapids Washington was suspended due to lightning at Kingston Stadium. After a long night on the bus, the Hawks were forced to return to Cedar Rapids on Friday afternoon--and they … [Read more...] about Hawks weather lightning delay, gear up for playoffs with rout over C.R. Washington

Jags, Hawks likely to host doubleheader in first round of Class 5A football playoffs

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It appears likely that Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial will host a doubleheader in the opening round of the Class 5A football playoffs. Both teams closed out the regular season on Friday with impressive victories. The Jaguars (7-2) rolled to a 49-7 win over visiting Urbandale, while the Hawks (5-4) defeated Cedar Rapids Washington, 56-0, in a game that … [Read more...] about Jags, Hawks likely to host doubleheader in first round of Class 5A football playoffs

Jaguars move up to 10th, Ankeny is now 12th in latest Class 5A RPI rankings

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Both Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny moved up in the latest Class 5A RPI football rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association. The Jaguars moved up two spots to No. 10 following a 28-10 victory at Waukee Northwest that likely knocked the Wolves out of playoff contention. The Hawks, meanwhile, moved up three spots to No. 12 after a 13-10 overtime … [Read more...] about Jaguars move up to 10th, Ankeny is now 12th in latest Class 5A RPI rankings

‘I was so proud of our defense’: Clark’s pick in OT seals Hawks’ 13-10 win over Valley

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The Ankeny football team didn't want its postseason hopes to hinge on next week's regular-season finale at Cedar Rapids Washington. Friday's overtime victory against fourth-ranked Valley likely punched the Hawks' playoff ticket. LaMarious Clark picked off a third-down pass from Valley quarterback Drake DeGroote to end the game, and No. 15 Ankeny evened … [Read more...] about ‘I was so proud of our defense’: Clark’s pick in OT seals Hawks’ 13-10 win over Valley