Ankeny Fanatic

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Football

Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

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Growing up as a multi-sport athlete, Nick Scherle heard a lot of stories about Wartburg College. Now, he'll get a chance to make his own memories at the private Lutheran liberal arts college in Waverly. Scherle, whose great-grandfather was an all-conference defensive lineman for Wartburg, has committed to play football for the Knights. "I originally … [Read more...] about Scherle to follow in great-grandfather’s footsteps, will play for Wartburg College

Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

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The 2020 regular season schedules for all Iowa high school football teams have been released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. District and group assignments were posted in February, following Board of Control approval. This arrangement is in place for just one year, as opposed to the usual two-year football cycle. Class 4A has also … [Read more...] about Ankeny, Centennial to face grueling football schedules in 2020

Local businesses raise $1,000 for Ankeny Athletic Booster Club

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Several local businesses raised a total of $1,000 for the Ankeny Athletic Booster Club through a pair of tailgates in the fall. The tailgates were held before the Ankeny vs. Ankeny Centennial football game on Aug. 30 and before the Hawks' homecoming game against Des Moines Hoover on Oct. 4. These events were sponsored by Ankeny Fanatic, Gershman … [Read more...] about Local businesses raise $1,000 for Ankeny Athletic Booster Club

Bauer, Brecht, Petersen earn all-state honors from Des Moines Register

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One of the best passing combinations in Class 4A this season was Ankeny's junior duo of quarterback Jase Bauer and wide receiver Brody Brecht. Both players have received all-state football honors from The Des Moines Register after leading the Hawks to an 8-3 record and a Class 4A quarterfinal appearance. Brecht was named to the Elite team, which … [Read more...] about Bauer, Brecht, Petersen earn all-state honors from Des Moines Register

Centennial’s Gray to receive prestigious Burlsworth Award

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Ankeny Centennial senior defensive back Keaton Gray has been named a recipient of the Burlsworth Award, a national award honoring character and sportsmanship in high school football. Gray made 33.5 tackles and had one interception while helping the Jaguars to an 8-2 record this season, but it was his performance off the field that led to the Burlsworth … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Gray to receive prestigious Burlsworth Award

Family history, right fit leads Gates to Grand View, Gibson to Iowa State

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Two of Ankeny Centennial's football standouts have decided to follow in the footsteps of a family member. Running back Avery Gates has committed to play for Grand View, where his brother, Jensen, is already on the Vikings' roster. "In the big picture, I was going to choose a place that fit me and believed in me," said Gates. "Having Jensen be in the … [Read more...] about Family history, right fit leads Gates to Grand View, Gibson to Iowa State

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Callan Miller, Ankeny Centennial football

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Senior punter Callan Miller helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to an 8-2 record this season. Miller averaged 37.0 yards on 28 attempts. His longest punt of the year traveled 76 yards. Miller was named to the Class 4A District 2 second team. He was also the recipient of the team's "Oil Can Award" at the Jaguars' banquet on … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Callan Miller, Ankeny Centennial football

Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

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Mike Fontana didn't think too much of it when he was nominated for the Class 4A assistant football coach of the year award. About a week ago, the longtime Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny assistant was told that he had won the honor from the Iowa Football Coaches Association. "I was like, 'Really. Is this for real?'" Fontana said. "It just made me think … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

Urbandale pulls off stunning 29-28 win over Jaguars with late 2-point conversion

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Any time there is a single-elimination playoff format in sports, the potential for chaos is always around the corner. On Friday night in Ankeny, the chaos showed itself in more ways than one. The 12th-seeded Urbandale football team scraped by No. 4 Ankeny Centennial--a team that beat the J-Hawks by 20 points in Week 2--after making a two-point … [Read more...] about Urbandale pulls off stunning 29-28 win over Jaguars with late 2-point conversion

Jaguars tune up for playoffs with 63-14 victory at Sioux City West

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The Ankeny Centennial football team will have to wait a little while longer to find out its first-round playoff opponent. The Jaguars know, though, that they'll be opening the postseason at home. Centennial closed out the regular season on Thursday with a 63-14 victory at Sioux City West. The Jaguars finished 5-0 in district play and improved to 8-1 … [Read more...] about Jaguars tune up for playoffs with 63-14 victory at Sioux City West

‘We just come out and hit hard’: Jaguars shut down Roosevelt for 28-7 win

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Ankeny Centennial's defensive unit is sometimes overshadowed by the Jaguars' high-powered offensive attack. That wasn't the case on Friday night. The fifth-ranked Jaguars turned in a dominating defensive performance, holding No. 7 Des Moines Roosevelt to just 84 yards of total offense en route to a 28-7 victory at Ankeny Stadium. "That's our strong … [Read more...] about ‘We just come out and hit hard’: Jaguars shut down Roosevelt for 28-7 win

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brady Petersen, Centennial football

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Senior offensive lineman Brady Petersen helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team to a 56-29 victory over visiting Fort Dodge on Friday. The Jaguars racked up 514 total yards, including 426 on the ground, while improving to 6-1 on the season. Petersen earned all-state honors last year as a junior. He has verbally committed to play for Iowa … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brady Petersen, Centennial football

A-VERY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: Gates runs wild in Jaguars’ 56-29 victory

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Due to a high ankle sprain that he suffered in the season opener against Ankeny, Ankeny Centennial running back Avery Gates entered Friday's game against visiting Fort Dodge with just 286 rushing yards on the year. He needed less than a half to surpass that total. Gates ran wild in the first two quarters, rushing for 309 yards and five touchdowns as … [Read more...] about A-VERY SPECIAL PERFORMANCE: Gates runs wild in Jaguars’ 56-29 victory

‘I knew I could make it’: Page’s game-winner lifts Jaguars past S.E. Polk

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When Ankeny Centennial's Connor Page lined up for a game-winning field goal with 3 seconds left on Friday at Southeast Polk, the Rams tried to freeze the Jaguars' place-kicker by calling a timeout. But Page has been in this situation before. The 150-pound senior kicked a 30-yard field goal as time expired to give the sixth-ranked Jaguars a 20-17 … [Read more...] about ‘I knew I could make it’: Page’s game-winner lifts Jaguars past S.E. Polk

Centennial defense stifles Marshalltown en route to 42-7 road victory

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Coming into Friday night’s game at Leonard Cole Field, the Marshalltown Bobcats were 4-0 and averaging 34.0 points per game. The Bobcats had yet to allow more than 14 points in any of the four games they had played. Ankeny Centennial completely flipped the script. The Jaguars didn’t allow Marshalltown to get a first down until the fourth quarter and … [Read more...] about Centennial defense stifles Marshalltown en route to 42-7 road victory

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Tyler Johnson, Ankeny Centennial football

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Junior running back Tyler Johnson has helped the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 3-1 record. Johnson became a starter after senior Avery Gates suffered a high ankle sprain in the Jaguars' overtime victory against Ankeny in the season opener on Aug. 30. He has rushed for 391 yards on 63 carries. Johnson ran 24 times for 206 yards and a touchdown … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Tyler Johnson, Ankeny Centennial football

‘We just got our butt kicked’: Jaguars drop 31-10 decision to Dowling Catholic

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The Dowling Catholic football team got a lot healthier on Friday. Ankeny Centennial still has a ways to go. The fifth-ranked Maroons got a boost from the return of running back Gavin Williams and dominated Friday's showdown against No. 1 Ankeny Centennial, rolling to a 31-10 victory over the Jaguars at Ankeny Stadium. "They're a phenomenal football … [Read more...] about ‘We just got our butt kicked’: Jaguars drop 31-10 decision to Dowling Catholic

Jaguars seek 3rd straight regular-season victory over 6-time defending champs

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Before the football season started, Friday's matchup between top-ranked Ankeny Centennial and No. 5 Dowling Catholic was expected to feature two of the state's top running backs. Centennial's Avery Gates rushed for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior, but he suffered a high ankle sprain during the Jaguars' overtime victory against Ankeny in their … [Read more...] about Jaguars seek 3rd straight regular-season victory over 6-time defending champs