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Brody Brecht

‘We’re starting a new tradition’: Hawks’ talented juniors look ahead to 2020

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The Ankeny Hawks needed a fourth-down conversion on their own 29-yard line to even achieve a first down on their first drive of the night. A shanked punt after three more failed plays gave Dowling Catholic the ball on the Hawks’ side of the field. The Maroons needed just five plays to find the end zone and take a 7-0 lead with a bunch of momentum. It … [Read more...] about ‘We’re starting a new tradition’: Hawks’ talented juniors look ahead to 2020

Bauer passes for 4 TDs, runs for another in Hawks’ 42-0 rout over Lincoln

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There is no margin of error for the Ankeny football team. The Hawks, who were 15th in the initial Class 4A RPI rankings last week, moved a step closer toward a playoff berth with a 42-0 victory at Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. It was the team's second consecutive shutout. "We know if we lose we're not going to make (the postseason), so to us, these are … [Read more...] about Bauer passes for 4 TDs, runs for another in Hawks’ 42-0 rout over Lincoln

Kadolph, Kumm help Ankeny squash Cinderella in Roosevelt

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Cody Goodwin said on 1460 KXnO that Friday night’s football game at Drake Stadium was the biggest in 25 years for Des Moines Roosevelt. The Ankeny Hawks played like it was a marquee game for themselves from the opening snap, sticking it to the 3-0 Cinderella, 28-14. “We won so I guess I can’t complain about that,” Ankeny coach Rick Nelson said. “We … [Read more...] about Kadolph, Kumm help Ankeny squash Cinderella in Roosevelt

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brody Brecht, Ankeny football

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Junior receiver Brody Brecht caught seven passes for 121 yards and also had an interception Friday in the Ankeny football team's 28-27 loss to Cedar Falls at the UNI-Dome. Brecht, who has 14 catches for 330 yards and one touchdown in three games, has become one of the state's top prospects in the Class of 2021. He is also being heavily recruited in … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Brody Brecht, Ankeny football

‘We’re our own worst enemy’: Little things prove costly in Hawks’ 28-27 loss

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Rick Nelson knows his way around the UNI-Dome about as well as anyone. The Ankeny football coach returned to his old stomping grounds on Friday, but it was a bittersweet homecoming. Nelson's Hawks came up short in their bid to knock off defending Class 4A state runner-up Cedar Falls, dropping a 28-27 decision to the Tigers in a battle of top-10 … [Read more...] about ‘We’re our own worst enemy’: Little things prove costly in Hawks’ 28-27 loss

Ankeny’s best effort not enough to get past rival Centennial

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The ball was snapped back to the holder. Ankeny kicker Max Pelham was ready to put his team up by three points on the opening possession in overtime. But the snap was muffed, and the holder was forced out of bounds 10 yards away from the end zone. All Ankeny Centennial needed to do was protect the ball and kick a field goal, and the Jaguars would take … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s best effort not enough to get past rival Centennial

‘We feel so much more confident’: Hawks enter season with big goals

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The mid-August temperature is getting a little warmer. Team practices are ramping up. And, mainly, a young team is getting older. This football season has the potential to be one of historic proportions for the Ankeny Hawks, because of what kind of a roster they are putting on the field. Last season, the team started eight sophomores--all of … [Read more...] about ‘We feel so much more confident’: Hawks enter season with big goals

Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team

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Ankeny outfielder Brody Brecht and Ankeny Centennial catcher Ryan Vermeer were both unanimous picks to the CIML Central Conference first team by a vote of the league's baseball coaches. They were joined on the squad by Centennial shortstop Keaton Gray, who was named to an infield position. Vermeer, who was selected to a utility position, was also a repeat … [Read more...] about Brecht, Vermeer, Gray named to Central Conference first team

Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons

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Johnston baseball coach Michael Barta wasn't excited about his team's matchup against CIML Central Conference rival Ankeny in the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament at Principal Park. Barta knew the Hawks were a dangerous No. 8 seed. "(Ankeny's Joe) Balvanz is a great coach," Barta said. "They have tremendous talent--(Brody) Brecht shut us … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s first state tourney appearance since 2013 ends with 6-0 loss to Dragons

Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

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Brody Brecht's teammates gave him a five-run cushion before he even took the mound on Wednesday night. Then they just kept adding to the lead. After scoring five runs in the top of the first inning, the Ankeny baseball team added four runs in the second and seven more in the third to support Brecht's four-inning no-hitter as the Hawks rolled to a 16-0 … [Read more...] about Hawks rough up Riders, get no-hitter from Brecht and advance to state

‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

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The rankings and the seedings--not to mention the records of both teams--suggested that Mason City was a better baseball squad than Ankeny. Monday's Class 4A substate semifinal at Roosevelt Field suggested otherwise. The visiting Hawks broke open a tie game with a four-run fifth inning and went on to defeat 10th-ranked Mason City, 9-2, in a Substate 2 … [Read more...] about ‘We have faith in each other’: Brecht, Spear power Hawks past Mason City

Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

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Survive and advance. That's what the postseason is all about for Chris Spear and the Ankeny baseball team. Spear got the final three outs after replacing Brody Brecht on the mound and the Hawks held on to defeat visiting Fort Dodge, 6-5, in a Class 4A substate quarterfinal on Friday. "It feels amazing," said Spear, who picked up his first save of … [Read more...] about Hawks survive and advance, will play at No. 10 Mason City on Monday

Jaguars deliver knockout blow, sweep season series against Ankeny

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Ankeny Centennial's Cory Prange was looking for a pitch that he could drive. He never got one. Prange walked on four straight pitches from Ankeny reliever Cooper Cox to force in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving the seventh-ranked Jaguars a 4-3 victory and a sweep of Thursday's CIML Central Conference baseball … [Read more...] about Jaguars deliver knockout blow, sweep season series against Ankeny

Brecht shuts down top-ranked Dragons, then seals 1-0 win with leaping catch

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Brody Brecht gave the Ankeny baseball team a much-needed lift on Wednesday. The sophomore righthander outdueled Johnston standout Jackson Vines to lead the visiting Hawks to a 1-0 victory in the first game of a CIML Central Conference doubleheader, handing the top-ranked Dragons just their second loss of the season. "Going into the game we obviously … [Read more...] about Brecht shuts down top-ranked Dragons, then seals 1-0 win with leaping catch

Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

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The Ankeny baseball team didn't have an answer for Dowling Catholic pitcher Carter Baumler. Baumler tossed a one-hitter and had 12 strikeouts to lead the fifth-ranked Maroons to a 3-1 victory at Ankeny in the CIML Central Conference opener for both teams on Monday. The game was shortened to six innings due to rain, and the second game of the doubleheader … [Read more...] about Dowling’s Baumler overpowers Hawks, tosses 1-hitter in Maroons’ 3-1 victory

‘It’s better than what I expected’: Ankeny’s Smith places 4th in 100

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Ankeny's Max Smith was just hoping to get into the finals of the 100-meter dash at the Drake Relays. He did even better than that. The senior placed fourth in the event on Friday at Drake Stadium. He posted a time of 10.99 seconds. "I was happy with my start," Smith said. "I gave it my all." Smith earlier posted a season-best time of 10.90 in the … [Read more...] about ‘It’s better than what I expected’: Ankeny’s Smith places 4th in 100

Hawks’ great effort falls just short as Valley survives

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On a night when top-seeded Ankeny Centennial was knocked out of the Class 4A playoffs, the Ankeny football team nearly pulled off another shocker at Valley Stadium. The Hawks led most of the game before dropping a 24-21 decision to top-ranked and second-seeded Valley, which got a go-ahead touchdown from Tre Fugate midway through the fourth quarter to … [Read more...] about Hawks’ great effort falls just short as Valley survives