For several months, Ankeny Fanatic has been contacting the members of its all-time Ankeny football team to get a reaction from some of the players, as well as stories and favorite memories from their high school careers. One former Ankeny standout responded with a poem that he wrote. Ross Naylor entitled it, "Pezzetti's Proposal", in honor of his … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (2nd team)
Brady McCullough
‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch
(Story by Rob Gray) It hurts to watch. You’re helpless. The game is essentially decided and the opposing team is flexing and raising its arms on the sideline with 3-plus minutes left. That’s where Ankeny’s football players found themselves late in Friday night’s 24-7 rematch loss to Southeast Polk in the Class 5A championship game and — you … [Read more...] about ‘They played better than us on this night’: Hawks fall short in title game rematch
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 161
Assistant coaches Adam Booth and Jeff Bauer along with seniors Brady McCullough and Will Cornwell of the Ankeny football team joined head coaches Brad Zelenovich of Southeast Polk and Tom Wilson of Dowling Catholic and Dome Dynasty's Dave Bingham as the guests on the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 161
DOMEWARD BOUND!: Hawks throttle C.R. Prairie, will play Valley in semifinals
On a windy night in Cedar Rapids, the Ankeny football team turned to its power running game to earn another trip to the UNI-Dome. Colin Kadolph rushed for 78 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the second half, and the fifth-seeded Hawks dominated the final two quarters to defeat fourth-seeded Cedar Rapids Prairie, 37-7, in the Class 5A quarterfinals on … [Read more...] about DOMEWARD BOUND!: Hawks throttle C.R. Prairie, will play Valley in semifinals
‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
The Ankeny football team knows how to rebound from a tough loss. Now, the Hawks will have to do it again. Mason Morrow threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Ayden Price with 13 seconds left and fifth-ranked Valley defeated No. 1 Ankeny, 38-35, on Friday at Valley Stadium. "I definitely think we will bounce back stronger," said Ankeny receiver Brady … [Read more...] about ‘They made more plays than we did’: Valley’s late TD hands Hawks 38-35 loss
McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
Ankeny receiver Brady McCullough has always had a tight bond with his older sister Sara. The siblings will have a chance to grow even closer over the next few years. McCullough verbally committed on Wednesday to play football at Northern Iowa, where Sara is a redshirt freshman on the women's basketball team. He announced his decision via … [Read more...] about McCullough to follow sister’s footsteps, will play football at Northern Iowa
Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
The entire first half of Friday's football game at Ankeny Stadium was played on one end of the field. Second-ranked Ankeny took advantage of great field position to build a 42-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat No. 10 Des Moines Roosevelt, 49-6, in a matchup of Group 1 teams in the new Class 5A. "I'm not shocked," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "But … [Read more...] about Roosevelt has no answers for Hawks’ aerial attack, lousy field position
‘WE’RE BACK’: Hawks rebound from loss with convincing win over Dowling
JJ Kohl and the Ankeny football team had something to prove. Kohl tossed four touchdown passes, three of them to Brady McCullough, and the sixth-ranked Hawks bounced back from last week's loss to Ankeny Centennial with a 27-13 victory over No. 2 Dowling Catholic on Friday at Valley Stadium. It was a rematch of last year's Class 4A semifinal that was won … [Read more...] about ‘WE’RE BACK’: Hawks rebound from loss with convincing win over Dowling
‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown
The cupboard is hardly bare for the Ankeny football team. The Hawks suffered heavy losses to graduation after winning the Class 4A state title last fall, but several standouts are back from the squad that finished with an 11-1 record. Some talented newcomers have joined the roster as well. Ankeny is third in the new Class 5A division in the preseason … [Read more...] about ‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 150
Publisher Dan Holm previews the high school football season in this edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America as he stopped by practice to interview seniors Braden Simonsen and Brady McCullough along with head coach Rick Nelson of Ankeny, and seniors Trey Porter and Carter Cahill along with co-head coach Jerry … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 150
Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown
It's a good bet that the Ankeny Centennial boys' basketball team will be practicing its free throws before Tuesday's game against second-ranked Waukee. The No. 4 Jaguars nearly let Friday's game at Ankeny slip away due to some poor free-throw shooting. They missed all seven of their attempts in the third quarter, which allowed the Hawks to rally from a … [Read more...] about Centennial boys outlast Hawks in seesaw battle, clinch share of league crown
Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 117
Check out the latest edition of the Ankeny Fanatic weekly podcast sponsored by Coldwell Banker Mid-America. Activities Directors Andy Umthun of Ankeny and Scott Garvis of Ankeny Centennial discuss the financial challenges facing their departments due to the COVID-19 pandemic with Ankeny Fanatic publisher Dan Holm, who also interviews wide receiver Brady … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Podcast: Episode 117