Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

Hawks crush S.C. East in do-or-die game, qualify for Class 4A playoffs

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The playoffs have already started for the Ankeny football team. The visiting Hawks earned a berth in the Class 4A playoffs with a 42-6 victory over Sioux City East on Friday at Olsen Stadium. The contest was a battle for second place in District 1. It was also a de facto playoff game, because Sioux City East was No. 16 in the Iowa High School Athletic … [Read more...] about Hawks crush S.C. East in do-or-die game, qualify for Class 4A playoffs

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Belding, Ankeny football

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Sam Belding of the Ankeny football team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Belding, a junior tight end and offensive lineman, has helped Ankeny to a 4-4 record, including a 3-1 mark in Class 4A District 1. The Hawks have won their last three games to keep their playoff hopes alive. Ankeny will close out the regular season on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Sam Belding, Ankeny football

Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

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Ankeny's Conner Niffenegger missed the last six football games after suffering an ACL injury during the Hawks' season opener against Ankeny Centennial. When Niffenegger returned to the field on Friday night against Sioux City North, it took him only 12 seconds to make a huge impact for the Hawks. The 155-pound senior fielded a short kick on the opening … [Read more...] about Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive lineman Romello Gray has helped the Ankeny football team to a 3-4 record, including a 2-1 mark in district play. Gray made one solo tackle for a loss and had five assists in the Hawks' 47-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. He is tied for fourth on the team with 28.5 tackles on the season. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

Hawks keep playoff hopes alive with 47-0 victory over Lincoln

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All the Ankeny football team can do is take care of its own business. That's what the Hawks did on Friday night. Ankeny rolled to a 47-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln for its third win in the last four weeks, keeping its playoff hopes alive. The Hawks are now 2-1 in Class 4A District 1 and 3-4 overall, while Lincoln's records dropped to 1-2 … [Read more...] about Hawks keep playoff hopes alive with 47-0 victory over Lincoln

Hawks score 29 points in 2nd quarter, roll past Hoover

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The field conditions at Des Moines Hoover's McGrane Stadium were less than ideal on Friday night. They didn't seem to bother the Ankeny football team. The visiting Hawks used a 29-point second quarter to build a 44-7 halftime lead and then cruised to a 51-14 victory over Hoover in a Class 4A District 1 game. "Our kids played well," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks score 29 points in 2nd quarter, roll past Hoover

Dowling Catholic thumps Ankeny, dropping Hawks to 1-4 overall

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This probably wasn't the best time for the Ankeny football team to face five-time defending Class 4A state champion Dowling Catholic. Just one week after fifth-ranked Dowling dropped a 14-7 decision to Ankeny Centennial, the Maroons bounced back on Friday with a 42-0 victory over Ankeny at Valley Stadium. It was the District 1 opener for both … [Read more...] about Dowling Catholic thumps Ankeny, dropping Hawks to 1-4 overall

Hawks thump Roosevelt for their first win of the season

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The Ankeny football team took out its frustration Friday against Des Moines Roosevelt. Cael Boyd scored four touchdowns, Jase Bauer passed for three scores, and the Hawks rolled to a 42-0 homecoming victory at Ankeny Stadium. It was the first win of the season for Ankeny (1-3), which had played three of the state's top teams in the first three … [Read more...] about Hawks thump Roosevelt for their first win of the season

Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

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At halftime of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the Ankeny football team trotted off the field with a 7-0 lead and a growing confidence. The next two quarters showed, however, that the Hawks still have a long way to go. The fourth-ranked Tigers responded with 28 unanswered points in the second half to post a 28-7 victory, raising their … [Read more...] about Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

Hawks make QB change, then drop 14-9 decision at No. 2 Johnston

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The Ankeny football team made a change at quarterback prior to Friday's game at second-ranked Johnston. It produced some mixed results. Sophomore Jase Bauer connected with classmate Weston Fulk for the Hawks' first touchdown of the year, but he was also intercepted three times. One of those interceptions came on Ankeny's final drive, allowing the … [Read more...] about Hawks make QB change, then drop 14-9 decision at No. 2 Johnston

Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

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There was no way Ankeny's Max Griffin was going to sit out his final Jag-Hawk game with an injury. The senior defensive back/receiver suffered a dislocated shoulder during the first quarter of Friday's season opener against Ankeny Centennial, then went to the sidelines and appeared to be done for the night after taking off his jersey and shoulder … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too

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A year ago, Ankeny's Ray J Crawford was one of the top running backs in the CIML, rushing for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns on 202 carries. This season, he might not be able to match those numbers. That's because Ankeny coach Rick Nelson has elected to shore up his defense by moving Crawford to linebacker. The 6-foot, 196-pound senior will still get … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too

Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices

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Ankeny football players Drew Hill, A.J. Jackson and Dayne Kajewski were all looking for the right fit in a college. They each found it. Hill, an all-state receiver as a junior, verbally committed to play for Truman State on Friday. He picked the Bulldogs after previously considering two other schools. "It was a tough decision," Hill said. "My mind … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Hill to play for Truman State; Jackson, Kajewski also make their choices