Senior running back Javaris (JJ) Morgan has helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 2-1 record. He ran nine times for 129 yards and scored four touchdowns to lead the Jaguars past Des Moines Lincoln, 47-6, on Thursday at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. Morgan has rushed for 440 yards and eight touchdowns on just 27 carries season--an average of … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Javaris (JJ) Morgan, Ankeny Centennial football
Football
‘Our kids responded pretty well’: Despite short week, Jaguars romp past Lincoln
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It may not have been a normal week of preparation, but the results spoke for themselves. A day prior to the usual Friday Night Lights action, Ankeny Centennial was on a bus to Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines for some Thursday night football against Des Moines Lincoln. Behind another four-touchdown performance from star … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids responded pretty well’: Despite short week, Jaguars romp past Lincoln
Morgan’s huge night on ground, Reed’s pick-6 lead Jaguars to rout over Linn-Mar
The Ankeny Centennial football team couldn't afford to have an 0-2 start to the season. JJ Morgan and Kiefer Reed made sure that the Jaguars didn't. Morgan rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone, and Reed added a pick-6 as well as a fumble recovery as Centennial rolled to a 35-10 victory over visiting Linn-Mar (Marion) on … [Read more...] about Morgan’s huge night on ground, Reed’s pick-6 lead Jaguars to rout over Linn-Mar
‘The little mistakes hurt us’: Kickoffs prove costly in Jaguars’ 30-14 loss at S.E. Polk
Just when the Ankeny Centennial football team appeared to have all the momentum, Southeast Polk grabbed it right back in the next couple of plays. The four-time defending state champion Rams scored two touchdowns in a 2-minute span of the third quarter and went on to beat visiting Centennial, 30-14, in the season opener for both squads on Friday. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The little mistakes hurt us’: Kickoffs prove costly in Jaguars’ 30-14 loss at S.E. Polk
‘We’re excited for this season’: Jaguars to open up against 4-time defending champ
Most football coaches would prefer to play an overmatched opponent in the season opener just to give their younger players an opportunity to gain some experience. Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti won't have that luxury. The Jaguars will kick off the 2025 season on Friday with a game at Southeast Polk, the four-time defending Class 5A state … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited for this season’: Jaguars to open up against 4-time defending champ
‘SDSU is the place to be’: Centennial’s Dieken-Keahey commits to Jackrabbits
Ankeny Centennial football standout Braylin Dieken-Keahey has made his college decision. The junior offensive lineman announced on Monday that he has verbally committed to South Dakota State. "SDSU is the place to be," said Dieken-Keahey. "Great town, great team, and great people. Coach (Dan) Jackson and (offensive line) coach (Mike) Bangtson are the … [Read more...] about ‘SDSU is the place to be’: Centennial’s Dieken-Keahey commits to Jackrabbits
Bruhl chooses football over baseball, commits to play receiver for Iowa Western
Ankeny Centennial senior Isaac Bruhl is a two-time state placewinner in wrestling and an all-state infielder on the baseball team. He discovered last fall, though, that football was his favorite sport. "I knew I wanted to play either baseball or football in college and after this year’s football season, I had a lot of fun and didn’t want to give up … [Read more...] about Bruhl chooses football over baseball, commits to play receiver for Iowa Western
DOG PILE: Grider commits to join Kluver, Anderson on Drake football roster
Ankeny Centennial football standout Mitchell Grider has decided to follow in the footsteps of teammates Reed Anderson and Chase Kluver. The senior defensive lineman said he would have committed to play for Drake anyway. "Their commitment had no effect on my choice," said Grider, who announced his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs on … [Read more...] about DOG PILE: Grider commits to join Kluver, Anderson on Drake football roster
‘Drake is a great fit for me’: Kluver flips commitment from Sioux Falls to Bulldogs
The Drake football program has landed another recruit from Ankeny Centennial. Shortly after linebacker Reed Anderson committed to play for the Bulldogs next fall, fellow senior Chase Kluver followed suit. He becomes the latest player to join the first recruiting class for new Drake coach Joe Woodley, who took over the program after leading Grand View to … [Read more...] about ‘Drake is a great fit for me’: Kluver flips commitment from Sioux Falls to Bulldogs
‘We are all pumped to get going’: Jags’ Anderson to join new era of Drake football
The final game of Reed Anderson's high school football career was played at Mediacom Stadium near the Drake University campus in Des Moines. On Sunday, the Ankeny Centennial linebacker verbally committed to play for the Bulldogs next year. "I had a visit at Drake this past weekend, and I really enjoyed it as the new coaching staff is great and helped … [Read more...] about ‘We are all pumped to get going’: Jags’ Anderson to join new era of Drake football
‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg
Ankeny Centennial wingback Sam Heither has committed to play football at Wartburg College next year. Heither announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "I was pretty keyed in on Wartburg during the recruiting process," Heither said. "I loved the facilities and the culture that they have over in Waverly." Heither helped Centennial to an 8-3 … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the facilities and the culture’: Centennial’s Heither commits to Wartburg
Centennial lineman Juravich commits to play football at William Jewell College
Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Lucas Juravich has committed to play football at William Jewell College. Juravich announced his decision on social media earlier this week. "I want to thank my mom, dad and all my siblings for pushing me farther than I thought I could go," Juravich tweeted on X. Juravich was part of one of the state's best … [Read more...] about Centennial lineman Juravich commits to play football at William Jewell College
‘Iowa was always going to be my first choice’: Jackson commits to Hawkeyes
It didn't take long for Ankeny Centennial running back Braeden Jackson to accept a preferred walk-on offer from the Iowa football program. Jackson committed to play for the Hawkeyes on Friday--just four days after receiving the offer. "Other than Iowa Western giving a scholarship, Iowa was the only other offer or PWO on the table at the moment," said … [Read more...] about ‘Iowa was always going to be my first choice’: Jackson commits to Hawkeyes
Centennial offensive lineman Humphrey commits to play for UW-Platteville
Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Gavin Humphrey has verbally committed to play football next year at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, an NCAA Division III school. The 6-foot-1, 240-pound Humphrey announced his decision on social media over the weekend. "I’m blessed to announce that I will be committing to UW-Platteville to pursue my academic … [Read more...] about Centennial offensive lineman Humphrey commits to play for UW-Platteville
Six Jaguars named to Class 5A District 1 first team for 2nd consecutive year
Six Ankeny Centennial football players have been named to the Class 5A District 1 first team for the second straight year. Running back Braeden Jackson earned repeat honors along with offensive linemen Max Dickinson and Gavin Humphrey, defensive linemen Isaiah Bassett and Mitchell Grider, and linebacker Reed Anderson. The six seniors led the Jaguars to an … [Read more...] about Six Jaguars named to Class 5A District 1 first team for 2nd consecutive year
Dowling uses two late defensive stands to hold on for 14-10 victory over Jaguars
Friday's rematch between the Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic football teams didn't feature as many points as last month's meeting at Valley Stadium. But there was still plenty of drama. The second-ranked Maroons made two late defensive stops in the fourth quarter and held on for a 14-10 victory over No. 7 Centennial in the Class 5A quarterfinals … [Read more...] about Dowling uses two late defensive stands to hold on for 14-10 victory over Jaguars
Jackson erupts for 372 all-purpose yards, 6 TDs in Jaguars’ win over Iowa City High
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Braeden Jackson felt pretty good when he woke up on Friday, and that turned out to be the worst possible news for the Iowa City Little Hawks. Ankeny Centennial’s standout running back delivered an historic performance as he amassed 372 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns to lead the seventh-seeded Jaguars to a 52-28 … [Read more...] about Jackson erupts for 372 all-purpose yards, 6 TDs in Jaguars’ win over Iowa City High
Jaguars rout Urbandale on Senior Night, earn No. 7 seed for Class 5A playoffs
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) All season long, the Ankeny Centennial football team has made a living running the ball. But on Friday, the Urbandale J-Hawks caught a glimpse of just how dangerous the Jaguars' passing game can be. Centennial closed out its regular season and gave its seniors plenty to smile about after recording dominant offensive and … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Urbandale on Senior Night, earn No. 7 seed for Class 5A playoffs
Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two big plays, back-to-back, was all it took for the door to get knocked off its hinges. With some playoff implications on the line, the 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team went on the road and dominated the second half for a 28-10 win over a Waukee Northwest squad fighting to keep its postseason hopes … [Read more...] about Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest
‘One game at a time’: Jaguars rebound to beat Roosevelt, face Waukee NW next
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no doubt that the Jaguars wanted to knock off Dowling Catholic at Valley Stadium last Friday, but there was just simply no time to dwell on their triple-overtime loss. Instead, Ankeny Centennial kept its sights set on reaching the postseason and it resulted in a 45-3 bounce-back victory over visiting Des Moines … [Read more...] about ‘One game at a time’: Jaguars rebound to beat Roosevelt, face Waukee NW next