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
Football
AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trey Porter, Ankeny Centennial football
Senior Trey Porter has been a two-way standout this season for the Ankeny Centennial football team, helping the Jaguars to a 4-5 record. He ran for three touchdowns on Friday as the Jaguars clinched a berth in the Class 5A playoffs with a 63-6 victory at Des Moines East. Porter has rushed for 326 yards and four scores on 67 carries. As a defensive back, … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Trey Porter, Ankeny Centennial football
Jaguars punch their ticket to Class 5A playoffs with 63-6 victory at East
The Ankeny Centennial football team is headed to the Class 5A playoffs. The Jaguars entered Friday's regular-season finale at Des Moines East in a must-win situation. They took care of business with a convincing 63-6 victory over the Scarlets. Centennial also needed some other teams to lose--primarily Des Moines Lincoln and Des Moines Roosevelt--and … [Read more...] about Jaguars punch their ticket to Class 5A playoffs with 63-6 victory at East
Injury-depleted Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, putting playoff hopes in jeopardy
If Friday's matchup against visiting Southeast Polk wasn't a must-win game for the Ankeny Centennial football team, then next week's regular-season finale at Des Moines East certainly will be. The Jaguars dropped to 3-5 on the season with a 16-0 loss to second-ranked Southeast Polk, putting their playoff hopes in severe jeopardy. They entered the game … [Read more...] about Injury-depleted Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, putting playoff hopes in jeopardy
‘We’ve got to get better in a hurry’: Jags fall to 3-4, face playoff elimination
There is no margin for error left for the Ankeny Centennial football team. The Jaguars dropped to 3-4 on the season with a 17-6 loss at Waukee Northwest on Friday. They may have to sweep their final two games--against No. 3 Southeast Polk and Des Moines East--in order to make the Class 5A playoffs. Northwest (4-3) and Centennial entered Friday's game … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to get better in a hurry’: Jags fall to 3-4, face playoff elimination
‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds
With less than 2 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial football team was in position to pull out a huge victory on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had just taken an 18-12 lead over No. 8 Urbandale and needed one defensive stop to seal the outcome. But they couldn't close the deal. The J-Hawks drove 80 yards down the field and … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds
After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East
A gutsy call to open the second half helped spark the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 30-0 road victory over Sioux City East on Friday at Olsen Stadium. Leading by only 10-0 at halftime, the Jaguars recovered an onside kick to open the third quarter and went on to reach the end zone. They added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the … [Read more...] about After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East
‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars can’t overcome slow start in loss at Cedar Falls
The Ankeny Centennial football team got off to a slow start Friday and never recovered. Seventh-ranked Cedar Falls scored on a halfback pass on its first play from scrimmage, built a 22-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat the No. 9 Jaguars, 28-14, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools at the UNI-Dome. "The second half we played a lot … [Read more...] about ‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars can’t overcome slow start in loss at Cedar Falls