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Football

Centennial lineman Jones to join Simon, Targgart on Iowa Western squad

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There's another Ankeny Centennial football player headed to Iowa Western Community College. Offensive lineman Cavan Jones verbally committed to the Reivers on Friday. He joins teammates Hudson Simon and Brody Targgart, who both committed to Iowa Western last week. "It definitely played a factor in my decision," said Jones. "I've been really close … [Read more...] about Centennial lineman Jones to join Simon, Targgart on Iowa Western squad

IT’S MILLER TIME: Centennial two-way standout accepts PWO offer from ISU

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When Ankeny Centennial football standout Easton Miller received an invitation to join the Iowa State program, he started to ignore the other schools that were recruiting him. "When this popped up, I focused in on this rather than other schools," Miller said. On Tuesday, Miller verbally committed to the Cyclones, announcing his decision on Twitter. He … [Read more...] about IT’S MILLER TIME: Centennial two-way standout accepts PWO offer from ISU

Centennial teammates Simon, Targgart commit to play football at Iowa Western

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Ankeny Centennial football standouts Hudson Simon and Brody Targgart are both headed to Iowa Western Community College. Simon, a linebacker, announced his commitment to the Reivers on Friday. Targgart, a defensive lineman, committed on Saturday. The Centennial teammates visited Iowa Western on Monday. "I knew that day that was where I wanted to go," … [Read more...] about Centennial teammates Simon, Targgart commit to play football at Iowa Western

‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls

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The Ankeny Centennial football players were hoping to finish their season in the UNI-Dome. The Jaguars ended up doing just that, but not in the Class 5A championship game like they would have preferred. No. 12 Centennial traveled to Cedar Falls on Friday and fell to the No. 5 Tigers, 14-10, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Jaguars, who had … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls

Jaguars romp past East to clinch playoff berth, await postseason pairings

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The Ankeny Centennial football team entered Friday's regular-season finale against visiting Des Moines East ranked 14th in the PRI ratings and badly needing a victory to clinch a Class 5A playoff berth. The Jaguars got what they needed in resounding fashion. Centennial scored a touchdown just 19 seconds into the game and went on to rout the Scarlets, … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past East to clinch playoff berth, await postseason pairings

‘We knew it would be tough’: Jaguars fall to No. 2 S.E. Polk without Porter, Smith

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This wasn't the best week for the Ankeny Centennial football team to be missing two of its key players. With quarterback Trenton Smith and running back Elijah Porter both out with injuries, the eighth-ranked Jaguars traveled to defending Class 5A state champion Southeast Polk and suffered a 42-16 loss on Friday. "We knew it would be tough," said … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it would be tough’: Jaguars fall to No. 2 S.E. Polk without Porter, Smith

Jaguars’ winning streak ends as 2nd-half rally falls short vs. Waukee Northwest

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Friday's loss to visiting Waukee Northwest may not cost the Ankeny Centennial football team a Class 5A playoff berth. But the 20-14 setback could hurt the Jaguars' playoff seeding. Centennial entered the game with a No. 7 ranking in last week's RPI ratings by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Because of their strength of schedule, the Jaguars … [Read more...] about Jaguars’ winning streak ends as 2nd-half rally falls short vs. Waukee Northwest

AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale

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The identity of the Ankeny Centennial football program appears to be changing. Traditionally known as a power running team, the Jaguars have now evolved into a dangerous passing squad--somewhat out of necessity. With standout junior running back Elijah Porter sidelined by an injury, quarterback Trenton Smith took over on Friday and passed for four … [Read more...] about AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale

Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28

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A drizzling rain couldn't put a damper on Ankeny Centennial's homecoming football game. Cael Wiener booted an 18-yard field goal with 58 seconds left to give the 10th-ranked Jaguars a 31-28 victory over No. 6 Sioux City East on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "I was very confident I was going to make it," said Wiener, who had earlier converted all four of … [Read more...] about Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Zach English, Ankeny Centennial football

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Senior linebacker Zach English has helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 2-2 record. He made 4.5 tackles on Friday, including three solo stops, as the Jaguars posted a 28-14 victory over visiting Cedar Falls. English leads the team with 28.5 tackles on the season. He has 22 solo stops, three tackles for loss and one sack. Here is some inside … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Zach English, Ankeny Centennial football

‘Our kids stepped up’: Jaguars avenge 2021 loss to Cedar Falls by same score

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The Ankeny Centennial football team turned the tables on visiting Cedar Falls. After dropping a 28-14 decision at Cedar Falls last year, the Jaguars dominated Friday's rematch at Ankeny Stadium and defeated the Tigers by the same score, leaving both teams with a 2-2 record. "A year ago when we played them in the (UNI)-Dome, they physically handed it to … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids stepped up’: Jaguars avenge 2021 loss to Cedar Falls by same score

Jaguars unleash potent passing attack, romp to 31-6 victory at Waukee

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Ankeny Centennial has been striving to play a complete football game on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars accomplished their goal on Friday. Centennial unleashed a potent passing attack and continued to play solid defense as the Jaguars rolled to a 31-6 victory at Waukee for their first win of the season. "It was a much-needed win," … [Read more...] about Jaguars unleash potent passing attack, romp to 31-6 victory at Waukee

‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against Kluver, Indianola

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A late rally fell short for the Ankeny Centennial football team in its season opener on Friday. The Jaguars scored two touchdowns in the final 4 1/2 minutes before visiting Indianola recovered an onside kick to preserve a 26-20 victory at Ankeny Stadium. "The second half was just too little and too late," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "I … [Read more...] about ‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against Kluver, Indianola

‘Our strength is going to be our defense’: Jaguars to rely on experienced unit

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The key to Ankeny Centennial's success on the football field this fall will be the Jaguars' ability to prevent their opponents from reaching the end zone. "When you look at our team from a year ago and we've looked at how to build a competitive team, we knew right away that our strength is going to be our defense," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan … [Read more...] about ‘Our strength is going to be our defense’: Jaguars to rely on experienced unit

Pezzetti to be inducted into National Coaches Association Hall of Fame

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Ankeny Centennial co-head football coach Jerry Pezzetti will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at Prairie Meadows. Pezzetti, Iowa's all-time winningest coach with 435 career victories, will be one of 41 inductees from across the nation in the 2022 Hall of Fame class. "I'm proud to be … [Read more...] about Pezzetti to be inducted into National Coaches Association Hall of Fame

‘I loved the atmosphere and everyone there’: Cahill commits to play for Loras

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Ankeny Centennial football standout Carter Cahill has committed to play for Loras College. Cahill said he was sold on the Duhawks after visiting the campus in Dubuque. "It was a very hard decision, but I loved the atmosphere and everyone there," said Cahill. "The coaches and teammates were all great people. I only looked at a handful of schools, but … [Read more...] about ‘I loved the atmosphere and everyone there’: Cahill commits to play for Loras

‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western

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The Iowa Western Community College football team has produced a lot of high-level recruits over the years. Ankeny Centennial receiver Isaiah Stearns is hoping to be another one. Stearns has committed to play for the Reivers next fall. He announced his decision via Twitter on Wednesday. "Blessed to announce my commitment to Iowa Western!!" Stearns … [Read more...] about ‘I’ll be competing with the best of the best’: Stearns commits to Iowa Western

GOODE CHOICE: Centennial QB/athlete to continue football career at Grand View

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Ankeny Centennial senior Peyton Goode showed during his high school career that he can play several different positions on the football field. He still isn't sure which one he'll play at the collegiate level. Goode verbally committed earlier this week to play for Grand View, the NAIA national runner-up. "It was a very tough decision, but I knew … [Read more...] about GOODE CHOICE: Centennial QB/athlete to continue football career at Grand View

TOO MUCH MORROW: Valley ends Jaguars’ season behind QB’s 5 TDs

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Valley quarterback Mason Morrow didn't take over the starting position last year until heralded transfer Jake Rubley was declared ineligible by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Rubley's departure may have been a blessing in disguise for the Tigers. Morrow, who has developed into a solid quarterback, passed for three touchdowns and ran for two … [Read more...] about TOO MUCH MORROW: Valley ends Jaguars’ season behind QB’s 5 TDs