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Football

‘I was overwhelmed with emotions’: Central’s Hawkins wins Gagliardi Trophy

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Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins has been named the winner of the Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's top Division III football player. The former Ankeny star watched the award announcement with members of his family and some of his teammates in Pella. The Gagliardi Trophy is the Division III version of the Heisman Trophy. "I … [Read more...] about ‘I was overwhelmed with emotions’: Central’s Hawkins wins Gagliardi Trophy

Iowa standout Moss named a first-team all-American by CBS Sports

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Chalk up another honor for Iowa defensive back Riley Moss. And it's a big one. The former Ankeny Centennial star has been named a first-team all-American by CBS Sports. He has helped lead the Hawkeyes to a 10-3 record, including an appearance in the Big Ten championship game. Moss has made 36 tackles this season, despite missing three games due to a … [Read more...] about Iowa standout Moss named a first-team all-American by CBS Sports

Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year

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If this ends up being the final season of Riley Moss' Iowa football career, it's been a memorable one. The former Ankeny Centennial star was named the Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year on Tuesday. He is the fifth Hawkeye to win the award and the first since Amani Hooker in 2019. Moss ranks 11th in the country and third in the … [Read more...] about Moss named Big Ten Conference Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year

BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD

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Blaine Hawkins entered Saturday's second-round NCAA Division III playoff game with a chance to make some football history. The former Ankeny quarterback etched his name in the record book in the most dramatic way possible. Hawkins found teammate Tanner Schminke in the corner of the end zone for a 3-yard touchdown pass on the game's final play to give … [Read more...] about BLAINE’S MAGIC TRICK: Central reaches quarterfinals on Hawkins’ record-tying TD

Hawkins becomes 8th QB in Division III history with 50 TD passes in a season

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After another dominant showing in his final American Rivers game Saturday, Central College quarterback Blaine Hawkins was tabbed as the league's offensive player of the week for the sixth time this season. Hawkins, a former Ankeny standout and the league's 2019 offensive MVP, received the honor for the 12th time in his Central career after throwing five … [Read more...] about Hawkins becomes 8th QB in Division III history with 50 TD passes in a season

Loras’ Talmadge, Central’s Hawkins honored by American Rivers Conference

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Former Ankeny Centennial place-kicker Scott Talmadge and former Ankeny quarterback Blaine Hawkins have been honored by the American Rivers Conference for their performances on Saturday. Talmadge, a freshman at Loras College, was named the football special teams player of the week. He made all three of his field-goal attempts--two of them from 36 yards … [Read more...] about Loras’ Talmadge, Central’s Hawkins honored by American Rivers Conference

Hawkins tosses his 100th career TD pass in record-setting win at Simpson

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Former Ankeny quarterback Blaine Hawkins already held most of Central College's passing records. Following Saturday's game at Simpson, Hawkins owns a couple more marks. The senior passed for a school-record seven touchdowns to lead the Dutch to an 84-16 victory. He completed 22-of-24 passes for a school-record 424 yards--all in the first half. Late … [Read more...] about Hawkins tosses his 100th career TD pass in record-setting win at Simpson

Pick-6 X 2: Moss enjoys career day in Hawkeyes’ rout over Indiana

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Most defensive backs in college football would be happy to return two interceptions for touchdowns during their entire career. Iowa's Riley Moss needed just one afternoon at Kinnick Stadium to accomplish the feat. The former Ankeny Centennial star had a pair of pick-sixes in the first half as the 18th-ranked Hawkeyes rolled to a 34-6 victory over No. … [Read more...] about Pick-6 X 2: Moss enjoys career day in Hawkeyes’ rout over Indiana

Iowa DB Moss signs NIL agreement with The Kitchen and Bath Company

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Iowa defensive back Riley Moss has joined the growing list of collegiate athletes who have decided to capitalize on the name, image and likeness law that went into effect on July 1. Moss, a former Ankeny Centennial star, signed an NIL agreement with The Kitchen and Bath Company in Ankeny on Thursday. "It's really cool, especially because it's my … [Read more...] about Iowa DB Moss signs NIL agreement with The Kitchen and Bath Company

Ex-Centennial lineman Winters commits to play for McNeese State

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Trey Winters has found a new home. The offensive lineman announced earlier this month via Twitter that he had committed to play for McNeese State, one of the top FCS programs in the country. "I am excited to announce that I will be joining McNeese State University to join the Cowboys," Winters tweeted. "I’m so … [Read more...] about Ex-Centennial lineman Winters commits to play for McNeese State

Rhoads to join Ohio State’s football program as defensive analyst

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It only took three decades, but Paul Rhoads is returning to Columbus, Ohio. The Ankeny native and former Iowa State head football coach has been hired to become a defensive analyst at Ohio State, where he served as a graduate assistant in 1991 under John Cooper. He brings 28 years of coaching experience to Ryan Day's Buckeyes staff. Rhoads' experience … [Read more...] about Rhoads to join Ohio State’s football program as defensive analyst

Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin

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Former Iowa State head football coach and Ankeny native Paul Rhoads has been named the interim head coach at Arizona following Saturday's firing of head coach Kevin Sumlin. Sumlin was let go one day after the Wildcats' 70-7 loss to rival Arizona State. Arizona is 0-5 this season after dropping its final seven games last year. Rhoads served as Iowa … [Read more...] about Ankeny native Rhoads named interim head coach after Arizona fires Sumlin

MOSS’D AGAIN: Ex-Centennial star gets pick-six off Lombardi in Hawkeyes’ victory

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There must be something about Rocky Lombardi that brings out the best in Riley Moss. Whatever it is, Moss just seems to have Lombardi's number. On Saturday, the former Ankeny Centennial defensive back intercepted a pass from Lombardi in the second quarter and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown to give Iowa a 35-0 lead over Michigan State at Kinnick … [Read more...] about MOSS’D AGAIN: Ex-Centennial star gets pick-six off Lombardi in Hawkeyes’ victory

IHSAA announces revised schedule for 2020 football season

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The Iowa High School Athletic Association has announced a revised schedule for the 2020 football season. The plan allows for member school adjustments due to COVID-19 and was approved by the Board of Control on Friday. The IHSAA plans to release further fall season and sport-specific guidance next week. Under the revised plan, a seven-week regular … [Read more...] about IHSAA announces revised schedule for 2020 football season

‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff

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Xavier Quigley always wanted to play for the Iowa State football team. Although he never got that chance, the former Ankeny offensive lineman still had a desire to be part of the Cyclones' program. Now, he's getting that opportunity. Quigley has been named to a graduate assistant position on head coach Matt Campbell's staff. He will help coach the … [Read more...] about ‘A long time coming’: Cyclone fan Quigley named to GA position on Campbell’s staff