Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

Jaguars rout Des Moines East for most lopsided victory in school history

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There have been some lopsided wins in the history of Ankeny Centennial football. No game, however, has been as big of a mismatch as Friday's homecoming contest against Des Moines East. The Jaguars jumped out to a 37-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to post a 72-0 victory at Ankeny Stadium. The biggest previous win was a 63-0  rout over … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Des Moines East for most lopsided victory in school history

‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial football team proved on Friday night that it can go toe-to-toe with the state's No. 1 squad. The fourth-ranked Jaguars battled two-time defending state champion Southeast Polk down to the wire before dropping a 24-21 decision to the host Rams. “Our kids fought their tails off," said Centennial co-head … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Elijah Porter, Ankeny Centennial football

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Senior running back Elijah Porter ran 13 times for 128 yards and caught five passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns to help the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 42-13 victory over sixth-ranked Cedar Falls on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. He has helped the Jaguars to a 2-1 record. Porter leads the team in rushing with 315 yards on 35 carries, despite … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Elijah Porter, Ankeny Centennial football

Smith passes for school-record 6 TDs, leads Jaguars to rout over Cedar Falls

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Ankeny Centennial's Trenton Smith still remembers walking off the UNI-Dome field after a first-round loss to Cedar Falls in last year's Class 5A football playoffs. "That (game) was definitely in the back of our minds this whole week," said Smith. "It was a pretty sour loss, and I think all of our guys kind of rallied. They knew this was a statement game, … [Read more...] about Smith passes for school-record 6 TDs, leads Jaguars to rout over Cedar Falls

Smith clicks against his former team, leads Centennial to rout over Ames

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Entering the Ames High Stadium on Friday night, the Ankeny Centennial football team was looking for a bounce-back game. Suffering a close loss against Ankeny the week before, the 10th-ranked Jaguars were hungry for a win. Adding onto the pressure, Centennial quarterback Trenton Smith had previously played for Ames before … [Read more...] about Smith clicks against his former team, leads Centennial to rout over Ames

‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

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There's a lot of experience on the Ankeny Centennial football team. Co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti is hoping that the return of 12 players who had significant roles on last year's squad that posted a 5-5 record will produce an even better season in 2023. "We've got a great group of kids," said Pezzetti. "We've got quite a few players back on offense and a … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

Centennial running back Porter commits to play for Northern Iowa

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Ankeny Centennial running back Elijah Porter has verbally committed to play football at Northern Iowa, beginning in 2024. Porter announced his decision on social media Friday. He becomes the second player from Ankeny to commit to the Panthers this week after Ankeny linebacker Connor Kayser committed on Monday. As a junior, Porter helped the Jaguars to … [Read more...] about Centennial running back Porter commits to play for Northern Iowa

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