Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Football

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

by

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

by

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

Backup shines: Johnson rushes for 206 yards in Jaguars’ win over Waterloo West

by

Tyler Johnson wasn't expected to play a starring role for the Ankeny Centennial football team. Now, he may have to--at least for awhile. The junior running back again filled in for injured senior Avery Gates and led the top-ranked Jaguars to a 21-13 victory over visiting Waterloo West in a battle of undefeated teams on Friday. He ran 24 times for 206 … [Read more...] about Backup shines: Johnson rushes for 206 yards in Jaguars’ win over Waterloo West

Depleted Jaguars roll past Urbandale without trio of injured starters

by

Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Brady Petersen hobbled up and down the sidelines during Friday's football game at Urbandale. He was joined on the bench by two other injured starters--running back Avery Gates and defensive end Lucas Pieper. But even without three of their best players, the Jaguars rolled to an impressive 41-21 victory. They scored … [Read more...] about Depleted Jaguars roll past Urbandale without trio of injured starters

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Page, Ankeny Centennial football

by

Senior Connor Page kicked a 34-yard field goal in overtime to give the Ankeny Centennial football team a 17-14 victory over Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Page is also a member of the Centennial boys' soccer team. He had six assists last season while helping the Jaguars to a 13-4 record. Here is some inside info on Page: Congratulations on the … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Connor Page, Ankeny Centennial football

‘It could have gone either way’: Jaguars prevail in OT after never leading

by

The Great American Rivalry Series could not have picked a better game to feature on Friday night than the Jag-Hawk Bowl. Crosstown rivals Ankeny and Ankeny Centennial battled into overtime before Connor Page drilled a 34-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a 17-14 victory at Ankeny Stadium. "I've dreamed about it a little bit," Page said of his … [Read more...] about ‘It could have gone either way’: Jaguars prevail in OT after never leading

Page boots 34-yard FG to give Jaguars overtime victory against Ankeny

by

For the first time ever in the Jag-Hawk football rivalry, it took overtime to decide the winner of the crosstown battle. Connor Page made a 34-yard field goal to give Ankeny Centennial a 17-14 victory over Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. It was the season opener for both teams. Page's game-winning kick came after the Hawks botched their own … [Read more...] about Page boots 34-yard FG to give Jaguars overtime victory against Ankeny

Hawks look to end scoring drought, losing streak against Centennial

by

In recent years, the Ankeny Centennial football team has dominated the Jag-Hawk rivalry. Will the Jaguars' dominance continue in 2019? We're about to find out. Centennial will host Ankeny on Friday in the season opener for both teams. Kickoff at Ankeny Stadium is at 7 p.m. "I think it's kind of neat to play them for the first game of the year," said … [Read more...] about Hawks look to end scoring drought, losing streak against Centennial

‘I want to win a state title’: Jaguars look for better ending in 2019

by

The Ankeny Centennial football team enjoyed a fairytale regular season in 2018, racking up a 9-0 record and earning a No. 1 seed for the Class 4A playoffs. Unfortunately, the Jaguars' season lacked a storybook ending. Centennial suffered a 21-17 loss to Southeast Polk in the opening round of the postseason, preventing the Jaguars from reaching their … [Read more...] about ‘I want to win a state title’: Jaguars look for better ending in 2019

‘I’ve always known that I wanted to play there’: Petersen commits to Cyclones

by

Ankeny Centennial offensive lineman Brady Petersen has been waiting for an offer from a Power 5 school. When he finally got one, he didn't hesitate to accept it. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Petersen verbally committed to play for Iowa State on Saturday after receiving an offer from the Cyclones. "I knew I could play at that level, and Iowa State was my … [Read more...] about ‘I’ve always known that I wanted to play there’: Petersen commits to Cyclones

Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

by

Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Hunter Pinegar took an official visit to Sam Houston State this week. Before boarding a plane on Friday afternoon for the trip home, Pinegar verbally committed to play for the Bearkats this fall. "Believe the myth: Everything really is bigger in Texas," said Pinegar. "And second of all, everybody's love there … [Read more...] about Pinegar chooses Sam Houston St. over FBS offers from Auburn, Washington St.

Centennial punter Knief to sign letter of intent with St. Cloud State

by

Ankeny Centennial senior Avery Knief has decided to follow in his sister's footsteps. Knief will sign a letter of intent on Wednesday to play football at St. Cloud State University next season. His sister, Kristine, is a junior on the St. Cloud State women's soccer team. "It'll help to have someone that will be within walking distance to help me if I … [Read more...] about Centennial punter Knief to sign letter of intent with St. Cloud State

Centennial’s Rodgers accepts PWO offer from Iowa State’s Campbell

by

The weight has been lifted off Tyler Rodgers' shoulders. The Ankeny Centennial defensive back has decided to play football for Iowa State. He has accepted a preferred walk-on offer from head coach Matt Campbell. "I'm very excited. I'm glad it's finally all over now," said Rodgers. "It was very stressful. It was constantly on my mind, so I'm very … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Rodgers accepts PWO offer from Iowa State’s Campbell

Centennial’s Pieper selected to play for U-17 U.S. National Team

by

Ankeny Centennial junior Lucas Pieper got some unexpected news earlier this week. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound defensive end has been selected to play for the U-17 U.S. National Team and will compete in International Bowl X in January at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. "I was honestly pretty excited and shocked," said … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Pieper selected to play for U-17 U.S. National Team

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Noah Bethards, Ankeny Centennial football

by

Noah Bethards of the Ankeny Centennial football team is the Ankeny Fanatic Sub of the Week sponsored by Blimpie. Bethards, a senior defensive end, helped Centennial to a 9-1 record. The Jaguars went undefeated during the regular season for the first time in school history. Bethards made 10 tackles, including three solo stops and two … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Noah Bethards, Ankeny Centennial football

Centennial DB Rodgers named to Class 4A all-state first team

by

When the Ankeny Centennial football coaches moved Tyler Rodgers to safety during his sophomore year, it turned out to be a good decision. Rodgers became a stalwart for the Jaguars' defense over the next three seasons, helping the team to a 28-6 record during that stretch. He racked up 153.5 tackles in his career, including 58 while leading one of the … [Read more...] about Centennial DB Rodgers named to Class 4A all-state first team