Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

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)

Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA

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Ankeny football stars JJ Kohl, Joe Kingston and Jamison Patton have been named to the Class 5A all-state first team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. The trio led the Hawks to a 9-2 record this season. They were all second-team picks a year ago, when … [Read more...] about Six Ankeny players, Centennial’s Miller earn all-state honors from IPSWA

Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year

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The Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial football teams each had 18 players receive all-district honors, including seven first-team picks and seven second-team selections. Ankeny senior JJ Kohl was named to the first team for the second year in a row. Centennial seniors Brody Targgart and Easton Miller were also repeat first-team picks. Kohl, a quarterback, … [Read more...] about Kohl, Miller, Targgart named to all-district first team for 2nd straight year

Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome

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The Class 5A semifinals of the high school football playoffs will feature an all-CIML Final Four, marking the first time since 1972 that eastern Iowa does not have a semifinal representative in the largest class. Unfortunately, third-ranked Ankeny won't be making another trip to the UNI-Dome. The Hawks were denied a third consecutive appearance in the … [Read more...] about Johnston pulls off upset, prevents Hawks from making 3rd straight trip to Dome

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive back PJ Westover has helped the Ankeny football team to a 9-1 record and a No. 3 RPI ranking in Class 5A. He ranks second among the Hawks with 39.5 tackles and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. Westover had 6.5 tackles in Ankeny's 17-0 win over visiting Sioux City East in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: PJ Westover, Ankeny football

Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals

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Survive and advance. That's all that matters this time of the year. The third-ranked Ankeny football team struggled offensively, but the Hawks' defense rose to the occasion in a 17-0 victory over No. 13 Sioux City East in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "Our defense played really well," said Ankeny coach Rick … [Read more...] about Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals

The matchups: Hawks to host S.C. East; Jaguars travel to Cedar Falls for rematch

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The Class 5A football playoff pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. No. 3 Ankeny (8-1) has been placed in Pod C and will host a first-round game against No. 13 Sioux City East (7-2) on Friday. The Black Raiders' only losses were to Ankeny Centennial and Waukee Northwest, two teams that the Hawks defeated this … [Read more...] about The matchups: Hawks to host S.C. East; Jaguars travel to Cedar Falls for rematch

Hawks fly into playoffs with 54-6 win at Lincoln, move up to No. 3 in RPI rankings

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The Ankeny football team is cruising into the Class 5A playoffs. The Hawks, who were tied for third in the latest Associated Press rankings, rolled to a 54-6 victory at Des Moines Lincoln in their regular-season finale on Friday. Ankeny improved to 8-1 with its sixth straight win. Lincoln finished with a 1-8 record. The Hawks have outscored … [Read more...] about Hawks fly into playoffs with 54-6 win at Lincoln, move up to No. 3 in RPI rankings

‘I was proud of our defense’: Hawks shut down Waukee NW en route to 31-7 win

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Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson had an uneasy feeling about Friday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. The seventh-ranked Wolves were coming off a 20-14 victory over Ankeny Centennial on the same field a week ago, when Brady Grisham ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns. "I was scared they were just going to be able to run it down our throats," … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our defense’: Hawks shut down Waukee NW en route to 31-7 win

Hawks romp to 72-0 victory at North, will host Waukee Northwest on Friday

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The Des Moines North football team got off to a 4-1 start, winning four games in a season for the first time since 2008. But the Polar Bears had not played an opponent like third-ranked Ankeny. The Hawks visited North on Friday and turned in a dominating performance, rolling to a 72-0 victory. They built a 51-0 halftime lead and cruised to the win, … [Read more...] about Hawks romp to 72-0 victory at North, will host Waukee Northwest on Friday