Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

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

Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View

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Sometimes, everything falls into place for a high school athlete in pursuit of a collegiate career. That's what happened with Ankeny senior Justice Miller, who has committed to play two sports--football, and track and field--at Grand View University. "I was looking for a school I could do track at and Grand View offered me for track, but after our … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Miller to play two sports–football and track–at Grand View

‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

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One of the best big-play receivers in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League has decided to stay close to home. Ankeny senior Kade Somers has committed to play for Grand View University, one of the top NAIA programs in the nation. He picked the Vikings over Iowa Western Community College and Morningside. "It was really tough to decide on whether I should … [Read more...] about ‘I had a really good feeling about Grand View’: Somers to play for Vikings

‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

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Ankeny football standout Brecken Manus is headed to the Show-Me state. The senior linebacker announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to play for Missouri Western. "It was not a hard decision at all," said Manus. "The first time I got to the campus, I knew I could see myself at Missouri Western." Manus also had offers from Wayne State and … [Read more...] about ‘It was a no-brainer’: Ankeny linebacker Manus to play for Missouri Western

State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today

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A 10-game winning streak to close out the season has vaulted the Ankeny football team into the Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today. The Hawks are ninth in the latest rankings. They capped off an 11-1 season with a 42-14 victory over top-ranked Southeast Polk in the Class 4A championship game last month at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. Ankeny has racked … [Read more...] about State champion Hawks are No. 9 in Midwest Top 10 rankings by USA Today

COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer did everything he could to land a Power Five offer. He decided that he couldn't wait any longer. Bauer verbally committed to play football for Central Michigan on Tuesday. He announced his decision via Twitter. "This process has truly been a blessing for me and my family," Bauer tweeted. "I want to give thanks to the … [Read more...] about COMMITTED: Ankeny QB Bauer to play for Central Michigan

Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team

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Four of the state's top 24 football players--according to The Des Moines Register--played for Class 4A state champion Ankeny. A quartet of seniors--quarterback Jase Bauer, running back Arland Bruce IV, receiver Brody Brecht and linebacker Brecken Manus--has been named to the Register's all-Iowa elite team. They led the Hawks to an 11-1 record, capped off … [Read more...] about Four Ankeny players named to Register’s all-Iowa elite football team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

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Junior defensive lineman Braden Simonsen played a key role in the Ankeny football team's run to the Class 4A state title last month. Simonsen made 37 tackles for the Hawks, who boasted one of the state's best defensive units. He had 16 solo tackles, 14.5 for losses and four sacks. Simonsen also filled in at tight end during the playoffs when teammate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers

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Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer is no longer flying under the radar. His performances throughout the Class 4A playoffs changed all that. Bauer has been named the captain of the Class 4A all-state team by the Iowa Print Sports Writers Association, which selected the teams in conjunction with the Iowa Football Coaches Association. He was among 10 Ankeny … [Read more...] about Bauer named captain of Class 4A all-state team by Iowa Print Sports Writers