Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

No. 5 Hawks get back on winning track, romp to 56-7 victory over North

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The Ankeny football team needed a bounce-back win after a last-minute loss at Valley a week ago. Des Moines North provided an opportunity to do just that. The fifth-ranked Hawks built a 42-0 halftime lead and went on to post a 56-7 victory over visiting North on Friday. They improved to 5-2 on the season, while the Polar Bears' record dropped to … [Read more...] about No. 5 Hawks get back on winning track, romp to 56-7 victory over North

‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss

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The Ankeny football team knows how to rebound from a tough loss. Now, the Hawks will have to do it again. Mason Morrow threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Price with 13 seconds left and fifth-ranked Valley defeated No. 1 Ankeny, 38-35, on Friday at Valley Stadium. "I definitely think we will bounce back stronger," said Ankeny receiver Brady … [Read more...] about ‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss

McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa

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Ankeny receiver Brady McCullough has always had a tight bond with his older sister Sara. The siblings will have a chance to grow even closer over the next few years. McCullough verbally committed on Wednesday to play football at Northern Iowa, where Sara is a redshirt freshman on the women's basketball team. He announced his decision via … [Read more...] about McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa

Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position

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The entire first half of Friday's football game at Ankeny Stadium was played on one end of the field. Second-ranked Ankeny took advantage of great field position to build a 42-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat No. 10 Des Moines Roosevelt, 49-6, in a matchup of Group 1 teams in the new Class 5A. "I'm not shocked," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "But … [Read more...] about Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin Kadolph, Ankeny football

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Senior running back Colin Kadolph rushed for 154 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries to help the sixth-ranked Ankeny football team to a 21-7 victory over No. 1 Southeast Polk on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Kadolph has rushed for 641 yards and five touchdowns on the season. He is averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Colin Kadolph, Ankeny football

‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

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Former Ankeny football coach Brad Zelenovich has built a powerhouse program at Southeast Polk. But Zelenovich still hasn't figured out how to beat the Hawks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny turned in a dominant defensive performance to beat No. 1 Southeast Polk, 21-7, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Zelenovich, who coached the Hawks for two seasons before taking over … [Read more...] about ‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

Hawks take down No. 1 S.E. Polk in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

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That loss to Ankeny Centennial is just a distant memory now for the Ankeny football team. The sixth-ranked Hawks have responded with back-to-back wins over two of the state's top squads. Ankeny followed up last week's victory over Dowling Catholic with a 21-7 triumph over No. 1 Southeast Polk on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The contest was a rematch of … [Read more...] about Hawks take down No. 1 S.E. Polk in rematch of last year’s Class 4A title game

‘WE’RE BACK’: Hawks rebound from loss with convincing win over Dowling

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JJ Kohl and the Ankeny football team had something to prove. Kohl tossed four touchdown passes, three of them to Brady McCullough, and the sixth-ranked Hawks bounced back from last week's loss to Ankeny Centennial with a 27-13 victory over No. 2 Dowling Catholic on Friday at Valley Stadium. It was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal that was won … [Read more...] about ‘WE’RE BACK’: Hawks rebound from loss with convincing win over Dowling

GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense

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There wasn't much belief in the Ankeny Centennial football team following the Jaguars' 42-13 loss at Indianola in their season opener. But the players in the locker room never lost faith in themselves. "We just had some small mistakes that we had to fix," said Centennial senior Trey Porter. Porter intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, while … [Read more...] about GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense

CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion

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Jerry Pezzetti stood at midfield and watched as his Ankeny Centennial football players celebrated a huge win over their crosstown rival. He wiped a tear out of his eye after reaching a coaching milestone. "You've got to hand it to these kids," Pezzetti said following the Jaguars' 14-7 victory over second-ranked Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "They … [Read more...] about CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion

OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee

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Braden Simonsen will have a lot to celebrate Saturday on his birthday. Simonsen returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and the third-ranked Ankeny football team rolled to a 49-0 victory over visiting Waukee in the season opener for both squads on Friday. "Scoring the touchdown was a great early birthday present!" Simonsen said. It was an … [Read more...] about OPENING STATEMENT: Hawks’ defense shines in 49-0 win over Waukee

‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown

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The cupboard is hardly bare for the Ankeny football team. The Hawks suffered heavy losses to graduation after winning the Class 4A state title last fall, but several standouts are back from the squad that finished with an 11-1 record. Some talented newcomers have joined the roster as well. Ankeny is third in the new Class 5A division in the preseason … [Read more...] about ‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown

Class 5A football schedules announced for 2021-22 seasons by IHSAA

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The Class 5A football schedules have been announced for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. District and group assignments were posted in March following Board of Control approval. After a unique one-year cycle and adjusted playoff format in 2020, these schedules are in place for two years and include a new seventh … [Read more...] about Class 5A football schedules announced for 2021-22 seasons by IHSAA

Kohl named Quarterback MVP at Under Armour All-America Camp

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Ankeny sophomore JJ Kohl was named the Quarterback MVP at the Midwest stop of the Under Armour All-America Camp Series on Sunday at Obetz, Ohio. According to Allen Trieu of 247Sports, Kohl's performance likely raised his recruiting profile. "It was a good group of quarterbacks and Kohl may not have come in with offers like some of them did but he is a … [Read more...] about Kohl named Quarterback MVP at Under Armour All-America Camp

Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title

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Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson has been named the Coach of the Year for the state of Iowa by FNF Coaches. He was one of 33 coaches from across the country to be honored. Nelson guided Ankeny to the Class 4A state title last fall. The Hawks posted a 31-24 victory over Dowling Catholic in double overtime in the semifinals, ending the Maroons' seven-year … [Read more...] about Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title

‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose

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As the backup quarterback for the Ankeny football team, Colin Riggs didn't see a lot of playing time during the Hawks' run to the Class 4A state championship last fall. However, he still did enough on the field to catch the attention of college coaches. Riggs has verbally committed to play for St. Ambrose University in Davenport. He announced his … [Read more...] about ‘It felt like a second home’: Ankeny’s Riggs to play football at St. Ambrose

‘I would feel regret if I didn’t at least try’: Peterson to play for Grand View

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Brice Peterson has decided that he isn't ready to hang up his cleats. The Ankeny linebacker has verbally committed to play football at Grand View University. He becomes the sixth player from Ankeny in the Vikings' Class of 2021, joining teammates Justice Miller and Kade Somers as well as the trio of Tyler Johnson, Jackie Wells and Nathan Wilde of Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘I would feel regret if I didn’t at least try’: Peterson to play for Grand View