Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

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Ankeny's crosstown rivals will collide on the gridiron for the 12th time on Friday at Ankeny Stadium to kick off the 2023 high school football season. Ankeny Centennial leads the all-time series, 8-3, but Ankeny has won two of the last three meetings--including a 17-10 victory by the Hawks in 2022. "Ankeny's had a very nice run the last few years," … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

Hawks return just 5 starters, but Bauer enters season with optimistic outlook

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Although the Ankeny football team lacks experience, the Hawks still boast plenty of talent. Ankeny returns just five starters from last year's squad that posted a 9-2 record, but first-year coach Jeff Bauer isn't concerned about the number of newcomers who will be forced to play. "Nobody is going to talk about Ankeny when you have just five returning … [Read more...] about Hawks return just 5 starters, but Bauer enters season with optimistic outlook

Ankeny linebacker Kayser commits to UNI, will follow Nelson to Cedar Falls

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It didn't take long for Rick Nelson to land one of his former Ankeny football players as a Northern Iowa recruit. Connor Kayser, a senior-to-be linebacker for the Hawks, announced his verbal commitment on Monday to play for UNI in 2024. "I told myself that coach Nelson wouldn't be the reason I committed, and he definitely was not the only reason just … [Read more...] about Ankeny linebacker Kayser commits to UNI, will follow Nelson to Cedar Falls

Ex-Ankeny DB Cornwell transfers to Northern Iowa, will reunite with Nelson

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Former Ankeny defensive back Will Cornwell is coming home. After spending one year at Colgate University, Cornwell has decided to transfer to Northern Iowa. He will be reunited with former Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson, who has returned to the Panthers as an assistant coach in charge of the offensive line. "Ultimately, moving closer to home and … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny DB Cornwell transfers to Northern Iowa, will reunite with Nelson

Football schedules announced: Jaguars to host Ankeny in 2023 opener on Aug. 25

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Football schedules for the 2023 and 2024 regular seasons have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Class 5A uses a success model for its group format and regular season scheduling. Groups are assigned by the IHSAA, then schools select preferred non-district opponents and submit them to the IHSAA through a priority list. The … [Read more...] about Football schedules announced: Jaguars to host Ankeny in 2023 opener on Aug. 25

Football group assignments for Class 5A announced by IHSAA

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The district and group assignments for the 2023 and 2024 football seasons have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Districts and Class 5A groups are effective for a two-year cycle. The 2023 season will be the first with a socioeconomic factor added for classifications. Approved this winter by the State Board of Education, the … [Read more...] about Football group assignments for Class 5A announced by IHSAA

‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

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It turns out that the successor to Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson was already on his coaching staff. Assistant coach Jeff Bauer has been named to replace Nelson, who announced in early January that he was leaving to return to his previous position as the offensive line coach at Northern Iowa. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing," said Bauer, an … [Read more...] about ‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College

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Like a lot of athletes, Ankeny football player Keeghan Warner wanted to continue his career at the collegiate level, but part of his decision-making process included financial considerations. Warner, a place-kicker, found the right fit in Simpson College. He announced his verbal commitment to the Storm over the weekend. "I looked at a pretty good … [Read more...] about Ankeny place-kicker Warner verbally commits to play for Simpson College

Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College

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Ankeny defensive back Reid Johnson has committed to play football at Benedictine College, an NAIA school located in Atchison, Kan. Johnson announced his commitment via Twitter on Wednesday. "COMMITTED!!" he tweeted. "Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches for always supporting me and pushing me. I will be furthering my academic and athletic … [Read more...] about Ankeny DB Johnson commits to play football at Benedictine College

Ankeny tight end Kruger verbally commits to play football for Iowa Western

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Another Ankeny football player has committed to play for Iowa Western Community College. Ankeny tight end Jeremiah Kruger announced his commitment to the Reivers on Wednesday. His teammate, defensive back PJ Westover, previously committed to Iowa Western along with a trio of Ankeny Centennial players--offensive lineman Cavan Jones, linebacker Hudson Simon … [Read more...] about Ankeny tight end Kruger verbally commits to play football for Iowa Western

Kingston to be reunited with Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny offensive lineman Joe Kingston has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Kingston picked the Mavericks over Pittsburg State (Kan.). His teammate, defensive end Diego Jackson, previously committed to the program. "It was really a two-dog race between Pitt State and Mankato for a long time," said Kingston. "My visit up to … [Read more...] about Kingston to be reunited with Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

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Ankeny defensive back PJ Westover has made his college choice. Westover announced on Twitter Monday that he has verbally committed to play football at Iowa Western Community College. Westover helped the Hawks to a 9-2 record last season. He made 42.5 tackles and intercepted a pair of passes. Westover was named to the Class 5A all-state second team … [Read more...] about Westover commits to Iowa Western, joining trio of Centennial recruits

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

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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)

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)

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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

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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 announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)

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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)

Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl helped Team Phantom to a 14-7 victory over Team Speed in the 2023 Under Armour Next All-America Game on Tuesday at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The game was televised on ESPN2. Kohl, an Iowa State recruit, was one of 100 players from across the nation who were selected to participate in the game. He shared the quarterback … [Read more...] about Kohl racks up 62 total yards, helps team to 14-7 win at UA Next All-America Game

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)

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When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit in March of 2020, Ankeny Fanatic took advantage of the unexpected break from high school sports to publish the first of its many all-time Ankeny teams, recognizing the best boys' basketball players in the community's history. This has since turned into a three-year project. Ankeny Fanatic has now published its … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (4th team)