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Football

Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East

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A trip to Williams Stadium on Friday night provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial football team to bounce back from its first loss of the season. The Jaguars took advantage of it. Braeden Jackson returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and Centennial went on to beat host Des Moines East, 44-7, in its district opener. "My … [Read more...] about Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East

‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

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The Southeast Polk football team isn't ready to give up its throne. The three-time defending Class 5A state champions scored two touchdowns in a span of 2 minutes in the third quarter and went on to beat top-ranked Ankeny Centennial, 21-13, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The Jaguars (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season, while Southeast Polk (2-2) … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Iowa high school football’s all-time winningest coach has checked off a milestone no other coach has reached. Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Jerry Pezzetti is just one of three coaches to pass the 400-win threshold, but thanks to the Jaguars’ 31-14 road win over Cedar Falls on Friday, the Ankeny legend became the first … [Read more...] about ‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames

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It's usually important for a football team to win the battle of field position. It certainly was for Ankeny Centennial on Friday night. The Jaguars played almost the entire first half against visiting Ames in the Little Cyclones' territory, allowing them to build a 35-7 lead en route to a 55-14 victory. "Field position is a key, no question about … [Read more...] about Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames

No. 3 Centennial looks to build off last year’s postseason run to UNI-Dome

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The Ankeny Centennial football team got hot at the right time last season, advancing to the Class 5A semifinals as a No. 13 seed. The Jaguars are hoping to reach the UNI-Dome again this year--perhaps as a higher seed. Centennial returns 10 all-district players from a team that finished with a 7-5 record under co-head coaches Jerry and Ryan … [Read more...] about No. 3 Centennial looks to build off last year’s postseason run to UNI-Dome

Sioux Falls hits the trifecta: Centennial’s Dickinson commits to Cougars, too

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The pipeline from Ankeny to Sioux Falls continues. Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Max Dickinson has verbally committed to play football for the University of Sioux Falls, announcing his decision on social media Saturday. He became the third player from Ankeny to commit to the Cougars over the weekend. Centennial teammate Chase Kluver and fellow … [Read more...] about Sioux Falls hits the trifecta: Centennial’s Dickinson commits to Cougars, too

‘Sioux Falls was a home for me’: Kluver joins Sandvig in Cougars’ recruiting class

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On Friday, the University of Sioux Falls football program picked up a verbal commitment from an Ankeny player. Shortly thereafter, the Cougars landed another Ankeny prospect. Ankeny Centennial senior-to-be Chase Kluver announced his verbal commitment to Sioux Falls on social media about one hour after fellow defensive back Sam Sandvig of Ankeny also … [Read more...] about ‘Sioux Falls was a home for me’: Kluver joins Sandvig in Cougars’ recruiting class

‘I liked the coaches a lot’: Centennial’s Snyder to play for Minn. State-Mankato

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Ankeny Centennial receiver Max Snyder has signed a letter of intent with Minnesota State-Mankato. Snyder said it wasn't an easy decision. "I looked at a lot of schools and also visited multiple," said Snyder. "It was tough to try to narrow down what I wanted in a school for sure. But I liked the coaches a lot at Minnesota State, and the fact that they … [Read more...] about ‘I liked the coaches a lot’: Centennial’s Snyder to play for Minn. State-Mankato

Centennial QB Smith to be reunited with former teammates at Iowa Western

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Ankeny Centennial quarterback Trenton Smith has committed to play for Iowa Western Community College. The Reivers went 12-1 last season and won a second consecutive NJCAA Division I national championship with a 61-14 victory over East Mississippi. "From the quarterback position perspective, their head coach (Scott Strohmeier) is the quarterbacks coach … [Read more...] about Centennial QB Smith to be reunited with former teammates at Iowa Western

Centennial receiver Langford to play football at Simpson College

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Ankeny Centennial receiver Lawson Langford is staying close to home. Langford has committed to play football at Simpson College in Indianola. "I think ultimately I liked the new coaching staff hired at Simpson as well as the location with it being close to home," said Langford. "I also appreciated the fact that coach (Reed) Hoskins stayed in contact … [Read more...] about Centennial receiver Langford to play football at Simpson College

Schutty: PWO offer from Northern Illinois was ‘perfect fit for me and my family’

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Ankeny Centennial tight end Chase Schutty will be joining the Northern Illinois football program as a preferred walk-on. Schutty becomes the third player from Ankeny in the Class of 2024 to commit to the Huskies. Centennial running back Elijah Porter, whose brother Trey is already on the NIU roster, and Ankeny receiver Devon Akers previously committed to … [Read more...] about Schutty: PWO offer from Northern Illinois was ‘perfect fit for me and my family’

‘Iowa State felt like home’: Sandquist to join Cyclones as preferred walk-on

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Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Blaine Sandquist has decided to follow in teammate Connor Welsch's footsteps. Sandquist announced on Monday that he will join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. Welsch, a defensive back, accepted a similar offer from the Cyclones last month. "I looked into a couple other schools and went on a few … [Read more...] about ‘Iowa State felt like home’: Sandquist to join Cyclones as preferred walk-on

Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

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Ankeny Centennial defensive back Connor Welsch will be reunited with former teammate Easton Miller next fall in Ames. Welsch has accepted an offer to join Iowa State's football program as a preferred walk-on. That's the same route that Miller chose last January. Miller has been playing on the scout team and dressed out for the first time on Saturday … [Read more...] about Welsch to join ISU as preferred walk-on, will reunite with ex-teammate Miller

‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny

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The Ankeny Centennial football team brought the energy in the second half. The Bettendorf players didn't know what hit them. Thirteenth-ranked Centennial scored 41 unanswered points in the final two quarters and rolled to a 41-14 victory at No. 5 Bettendorf in the Class 5A quarterfinals on Friday. Elijah Porter ran for three touchdowns and also caught … [Read more...] about ‘We’re peaking at the right time’: Jaguars rally past Bettendorf, will meet Ankeny

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football

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Senior quarterback Trenton Smith helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 35-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee Northwest in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday. He completed 11-of-14 passes for 116 yards and a 30-yard touchdown toss to Braeden Jackson on the team's opening possession. For the season, Smith has connected on 116-of-171 … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Trenton Smith, Centennial football

‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

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(Story by Rob Gray) From the first snap, Ankeny Centennial just looked different. The underdog Jaguars strode into Friday’s Class 5A playoff matchup at No. 4 Waukee Northwest with a spring in their step and a thirst for revenge in their roster-wide heart. “We’ve had the juice since Monday,” said Centennial running back Elijah Porter, who rushed for … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs

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The Class 5A playoffs have already started for the Ankeny Centennial football team. In a do-or-die game between two opponents with identical 4-4 records, the 14th-ranked Jaguars punched their ticket to the postseason with a convincing 41-3 victory at No. 19 Urbandale on Friday. "It feels really good," said Centennial tight end Chase Schutty. "We needed … [Read more...] about ‘We executed on all levels’: Jaguars thump Urbandale, earn trip to playoffs