Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

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Ankeny's Jacob Mohrfeld couldn't believe what had just happened at the UNI-Dome. "It doesn't feel real," Mohrfeld said. "I can't believe it, man. It's crazy." The senior defensive back blocked a field goal and had one of his team's three interceptions as the Hawks knocked off crosstown rival Ankeny Centennial, 10-7, in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday … [Read more...] about ‘THAT WAS A BATTLE’: Ankeny edges Jaguars again, earns shot to play for title

An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

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For only the second time ever, the Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams will meet in the playoffs. In 2016, the Jaguars posted a 34-24 victory in the opening round. This time, the stakes will be considerably higher. The crosstown rivals will collide under the bright lights of the UNI-Dome in the Class 5A semifinals on Friday. Kickoff is at 7 … [Read more...] about An analysis of the Jag-Hawk showdown in Class 5A semifinals at UNI-Dome

Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)

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In part two of the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, publisher Dan Holm breaks down Friday's Jag-Hawk showdown in the Class 5A semifinals at the UNI-Dome with junior running back Braeden Jackson and senior defensive back Nate Christiansen of Ankeny Centennial and junior quarterback Luke Anderson and … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 239 (Part 2)

‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The only thing standing in the way of Ankeny’s ticket to the Class 5A semifinals was the powerhouse of Dowling Catholic, which had handed the Hawks one of their three losses during the regular season. This time, however, David defeated Goliath in stunning fashion. No. 7 Ankeny pulled off a 14-7 upset on Friday at Williams … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids are just relentless’: Hawks stun No. 2 Dowling, earn trip to UNI-Dome

‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Late into the fourth quarter, in the moment where it mattered most, the Ankeny Hawks secured their ticket to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A football playoffs. With only 2 minutes to go, the Hawks held a 14-9 lead over visiting Johnston and had the ball at the Dragons' 32-yard line, but faced a crucial third down. All … [Read more...] about ‘We were just mentally stronger’: Hawks oust Johnston, earn shot at No. 2 Dowling

Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW

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The pairings are set for the Class 5A football playoffs. Both Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial are slated to face familiar opponents. The seventh-ranked Hawks (6-3) will host No. 10 Johnston (5-4) on Friday at 7 p.m. It's a rematch of a game from Sept. 15 that Ankeny won, 16-10. The two teams also met in last year's playoffs. The Dragons posted a 23-13 … [Read more...] about Rematch Friday: Hawks to host Johnston, while Jaguars travel to Waukee NW

Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3

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The Ankeny football team took care of business on Friday. The eighth-ranked Hawks not only rolled to a 49-19 victory over visiting Cedar Rapids Washington in their regular-season finale, but they jumped out to a big early lead that allowed coach Jeff Bauer to rest some of his starters for the Class 5A playoffs. "It was good to let some of the … [Read more...] about Hawks roll into playoffs with 49-19 win over C.R. Washington, improve to 6-3

‘We had some costly mistakes’: Ankeny falls at Valley on last-second field goal

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The Ankeny football team's four-game winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion on Friday night. A desperate Valley squad scored 10 points in the final 6 minutes 41 seconds and got a 31-yard field goal from Rico Alvarenga-Servellon as time expired to beat visiting Ankeny, 24-23, and keep its playoff hopes alive. "We did a lot of good things … [Read more...] about ‘We had some costly mistakes’: Ankeny falls at Valley on last-second field goal

‘It was the same story’: With Eike out of the lineup, Hawkettes finish 1-2 at Dike

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The Ankeny volleyball team closed out the regular season with a 22-14 record after winning one of three matches at the Dike-New Hartford Quadrangular on Thursday. The eighth-ranked Hawkettes faced three ranked opponents from Class 2A, including No. 1 Dike-New Hartford, which might be the state's best team regardless of class. The Wolverines (44-0) got 13 … [Read more...] about ‘It was the same story’: With Eike out of the lineup, Hawkettes finish 1-2 at Dike

Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

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There weren't a lot of expectations surrounding the Ankeny football team this season. It might be time, however, to raise the bar. The Hawks used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 40-21 victory over visiting Iowa City Liberty on Friday. They raised their record to 5-2 and have all but clinched a Class 5A playoff berth. "It feels great," … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

Hawks survive dramatic finish, hold on for 17-14 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie

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Ankeny football coach Jeff Bauer breathed a sigh of relief on Friday as he boarded the bus for the trip home from eastern Iowa. The eighth-ranked Hawks survived a dramatic finish to hold on for a 17-14 victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie in a matchup of 3-2 teams battling for playoff position in Class 5A. "It shouldn't have been that close, but it was," … [Read more...] about Hawks survive dramatic finish, hold on for 17-14 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Hawks rack up more than 500 yards of total offense in 48-21 win at I.C. West

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The Ankeny football team racked up more than 500 yards of total offense and rolled to a 48-21 victory at Iowa City West on Friday. Quarterback Luke Anderson completed 17-of-22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns, while Daniel Larmie and Caden Henkes each rushed for more than 100 yards and combined for four scores. "We were balanced. We were able … [Read more...] about Hawks rack up more than 500 yards of total offense in 48-21 win at I.C. West

‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston

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Friday's game against visiting Johnston wasn't a must-win situation for the Ankeny football team. But a loss would have been the Hawks' third in a row, and could have severely damaged their playoff hopes. Ankeny responded with a huge defensive effort to post a 16-10 victory over the Dragons, leaving both squads at 2-2 after the first four weeks of the … [Read more...] about ‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston

‘We just have to start faster’: Hawks dig big hole in 35-14 loss to Dowling

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Hawks were once again staring face-to-face with one of the state's top teams. Coming off a 58-21 loss to Southeast Polk, the Hawks had to travel to Valley Stadium on Friday to play second-ranked Dowling Catholic. Things didn't get any easier. Ra'Shawd Davis ran 36 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns to … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to start faster’: Hawks dig big hole in 35-14 loss to Dowling

‘This game isn’t going to define us’: Ankeny drops 58-21 decision to S.E. Polk

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It's been a long time since the Ankeny football team was on the wrong side of a running clock. But that's how good second-ranked Southeast Polk is. The two-time defending Class 5A state champion Rams scored on six consecutive possessions to build a 42-7 halftime lead, putting the running clock into effect, and went on to post a 58-21 victory at Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘This game isn’t going to define us’: Ankeny drops 58-21 decision to S.E. Polk

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Devon Akers, Ankeny football

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Senior receiver Devon Akers helped the Ankeny football team to a 39-38 victory over Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Akers caught a pass from Luke Anderson for the game-winning two-point conversion. He finished with three receptions for 90 yards. Here is some inside info on Akers: Congratulations on the win. Did you … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Devon Akers, Ankeny football

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

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With the game on the line, the Ankeny football team didn't run the play that was called in the huddle. It worked out for the Hawks anyway. Devon Akers caught a two-point pass from Luke Anderson to give the Hawks a thrilling 39-38 victory over rival Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "We actually messed up the play," … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT