Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

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Senior quarterback JJ Kohl of the Ankeny football team is considered one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2023. A four-star prospect, he is now the No. 5 quarterback and No. 36 overall nationally in the latest rankings by On3 Recruits. Kohl, an Under Armour All-American, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record last season. He completed 143-of-237 … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: JJ Kohl, Ankeny football

Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny defensive end Diego Jackson has verbally committed to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato. Jackson announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "I'm excited to announce my commitment to @MinnStFootball!" Jackson tweeted. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound senior-to-be helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a second-place finish in Class 5A last … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Jackson commits to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato

‘STAYING HOME’: Three-star athlete Patton to play football for Cyclones

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Ankeny defensive back Jamison Patton has verbally committed to play football for Iowa State. Patton announced his decision via Twitter on Monday. He tweeted: "STAYING HOME #CyclONEnation". Patton transferred to Ankeny in the spring from Des Moines Roosevelt, where he starred as a dual-threat quarterback. He was recruited by Power Five schools as an … [Read more...] about ‘STAYING HOME’: Three-star athlete Patton to play football for Cyclones

‘They believed in me before anyone else did’: Four-star QB Kohl picks Cyclones

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl had scholarship offers from schools all over the country. In the end, he decided to stay close to home. The junior announced his verbal commitment on Monday night to play football at Iowa State, beginning in the fall of 2023. "It wasn’t an easy decision," said Kohl. "I had some other schools that I was considering, and I … [Read more...] about ‘They believed in me before anyone else did’: Four-star QB Kohl picks Cyclones

Ankeny lineman Monsivais to play football at Northwest Missouri State

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Ankeny offensive lineman Drew Monsivais has verbally committed to play football at Northwest Missouri State. Monsivais, a junior, helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. "It was a pretty easy decision," said Monsivais. "There’s a certain feeling I got the first time I was there and have had every time I’ve been … [Read more...] about Ankeny lineman Monsivais to play football at Northwest Missouri State

Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

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One of the state's top football players in the Class of 2023 is headed to Ankeny High School. Des Moines Roosevelt star Jamison Patton, who is being recruited by Power Five schools as an athlete, announced on Sunday via Twitter that he will play for the Hawks in the fall. "After a lot of thought and talking it over with my family I will be transferring … [Read more...] about Roosevelt’s Patton to transfer to Ankeny, will play safety to prepare for next level

‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

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Ankeny lineman Ethan Thomas has committed to play football at Central College. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Thomas announced his decision via Twitter on Tuesday. He helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A last season. "I looked at Morningside, St. Ambrose and Loras as well as Central," said Thomas. "I liked the facilities, both … [Read more...] about ‘They consistently win’: Ankeny lineman Thomas to play football at Central

Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University

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Ankeny defensive back Will Cornwell was among the state's leaders in interceptions last season. Plenty of college football coaches recognized Cornwell's play-making ability. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound senior has signed a letter of intent to play for Colgate University, a Division I school located in Hamilton, N.Y. The Raiders are members of the Patriot … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Cornwell signs letter of intent to play football at Colgate University

Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

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Ryan Crandall has decided to wear different shades of purple and gold. After earlier committing to play football at Minnesota State-Mankato, the Ankeny defensive back has signed a letter of intent to play for Western Illinois next year. "It was a hard decision, but it's always been a dream of mine to play at the highest level I can possibly play at," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crandall decommits from Mankato, signs with Western Illinois

Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

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Ankeny senior Ryan Crandall is among the best three-sport athletes the school has ever produced. Deciding which of his three sports to play in college was not an easy choice. In the end, though, Crandall chose football over baseball and basketball. On Friday, the defensive back verbally committed to play for Minnesota State-Mankato, joining two of his … [Read more...] about Crandall picks football, will join Kadolph, Pelham at Minnesota State-Mankato

Ankeny kicker/punter Pelham to join Kadolph at Minnesota State-Mankato

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The Minnesota State-Mankato football team has landed a second recruit from Ankeny High School. Senior place-kicker and punter Max Pelham verbally committed to the Mavericks on Friday. He joins his teammate Colin Kadolph, a running back who committed to Mankato earlier this fall. "I looked at about seven to eight schools seriously, but I didn't think … [Read more...] about Ankeny kicker/punter Pelham to join Kadolph at Minnesota State-Mankato

Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

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Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl is now listed as a four-star recruit on Rivals. Kohl, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound junior, is ranked No. 223 nationally in the Class of 2023. He is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Iowa and No. 14 nationally at his position. Kohl helped the Hawks to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A this season. He completed … [Read more...] about Four-star recruit: Ankeny QB Kohl ranked No. 223 nationally by Rivals

Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

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Thirteen Ankeny football players have received all-state honors from the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. Two Ankeny Centennial standouts were also honored. The Hawks, who posted a 10-3 record and earned a runner-up finish in Class 5A, placed seven players on the … [Read more...] about Seven Ankeny players named to Class 5A all-state first team by IPSWA

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

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Senior linebacker Tamden Webb-Tate helped the Ankeny football team to a 10-3 record and a runner-up finish in Class 5A. He has been named to the all-district first team for the second year in a row. Webb-Tate made eight tackles in the Hawks' 24-7 loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game on Friday at the UNI-Dome. He led the team this … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Tamden Webb-Tate, Ankeny football

Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

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The state runner-up Ankeny football team landed eight players on the all-district first team and eight more on the second team. Ankeny Centennial, meanwhile, had six first-team selections and six second-team picks. The all-district teams were selected by the coaches from the following teams: Ankeny, Centennial, Ames, Marshalltown and Waukee … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Webb-Tate, Porter earn repeat all-district first-team honors

‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

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(Story by Rob Gray) It hurts to watch. You’re helpless. The game is essentially decided and the opposing team is flexing and raising its arms on the sideline with 3-plus minutes left. That’s where Ankeny’s football players found themselves late in Friday night’s 24-7 rematch loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game and — you … [Read more...] about ‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch

Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

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If you missed this week's Ankeny Fanatic podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America, check it out. We broke down Friday night's Class 5A championship game with seven different guests. So will Ankeny capture its second straight title and the fourth in school history? Or will Southeast Polk claim its first championship? The Hawks have won the last … [Read more...] about Back-to-back crowns?: Ankeny Fanatic’s prediction for the Class 5A title game

‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game

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Nobody can blame Mason Morrow if he has some nightmares this week. The Valley quarterback was running for his life Friday all over the UNI-Dome turf. Ankeny used a suffocating defensive effort to limit Morrow and the Tigers to 248 total yards and rolled to a 35-13 victory in the Class 5A semifinals at Cedar Falls. The Hawks avenged an earlier 38-35 … [Read more...] about ‘We just wanted to avenge that loss’: Hawks pound Valley, soar into title game