Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Jeff Bauer

‘We had some costly mistakes’: Ankeny falls at Valley on last-second field goal

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The Ankeny football team's four-game winning streak came to an end in stunning fashion on Friday night. A desperate Valley squad scored 10 points in the final 6 minutes 41 seconds and got a 31-yard field goal from Rico Alvarenga-Servellon as time expired to beat visiting Ankeny, 24-23, and keep its playoff hopes alive. "We did a lot of good things … [Read more...] about ‘We had some costly mistakes’: Ankeny falls at Valley on last-second field goal

Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

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There weren't a lot of expectations surrounding the Ankeny football team this season. It might be time, however, to raise the bar. The Hawks used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 40-21 victory over visiting Iowa City Liberty on Friday. They raised their record to 5-2 and have all but clinched a Class 5A playoff berth. "It feels great," … [Read more...] about Hawks dominate 4th quarter, pull away for 40-21 victory over Iowa City Liberty

Hawks survive dramatic finish, hold on for 17-14 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie

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Ankeny football coach Jeff Bauer breathed a sigh of relief on Friday as he boarded the bus for the trip home from eastern Iowa. The eighth-ranked Hawks survived a dramatic finish to hold on for a 17-14 victory over Cedar Rapids Prairie in a matchup of 3-2 teams battling for playoff position in Class 5A. "It shouldn't have been that close, but it was," … [Read more...] about Hawks survive dramatic finish, hold on for 17-14 victory at Cedar Rapids Prairie

Hawks rack up more than 500 yards of total offense in 48-21 win at I.C. West

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The Ankeny football team racked up more than 500 yards of total offense and rolled to a 48-21 victory at Iowa City West on Friday. Quarterback Luke Anderson completed 17-of-22 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns, while Daniel Larmie and Caden Henkes each rushed for more than 100 yards and combined for four scores. "We were balanced. We were able … [Read more...] about Hawks rack up more than 500 yards of total offense in 48-21 win at I.C. West

‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston

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Friday's game against visiting Johnston wasn't a must-win situation for the Ankeny football team. But a loss would have been the Hawks' third in a row, and could have severely damaged their playoff hopes. Ankeny responded with a huge defensive effort to post a 16-10 victory over the Dragons, leaving both squads at 2-2 after the first four weeks of the … [Read more...] about ‘This was our coming out party’: Hawks’ defense fuels 16-10 win over Johnston

‘We just have to start faster’: Hawks dig big hole in 35-14 loss to Dowling

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(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Hawks were once again staring face-to-face with one of the state's top teams. Coming off a 58-21 loss to Southeast Polk, the Hawks had to travel to Valley Stadium on Friday to play second-ranked Dowling Catholic. Things didn't get any easier. Ra'Shawd Davis ran 36 times for 242 yards and three touchdowns to … [Read more...] about ‘We just have to start faster’: Hawks dig big hole in 35-14 loss to Dowling

‘This game isn’t going to define us’: Ankeny drops 58-21 decision to S.E. Polk

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It's been a long time since the Ankeny football team was on the wrong side of a running clock. But that's how good second-ranked Southeast Polk is. The two-time defending Class 5A state champion Rams scored on six consecutive possessions to build a 42-7 halftime lead, putting the running clock into effect, and went on to post a 58-21 victory at Ankeny … [Read more...] about ‘This game isn’t going to define us’: Ankeny drops 58-21 decision to S.E. Polk

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

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With the game on the line, the Ankeny football team didn't run the play that was called in the huddle. It worked out for the Hawks anyway. Devon Akers caught a two-point pass from Luke Anderson to give the Hawks a thrilling 39-38 victory over rival Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "We actually messed up the play," … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

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Ankeny's crosstown rivals will collide on the gridiron for the 12th time on Friday at Ankeny Stadium to kick off the 2023 high school football season. Ankeny Centennial leads the all-time series, 8-3, but Ankeny has won two of the last three meetings--including a 17-10 victory by the Hawks in 2022. "Ankeny's had a very nice run the last few years," … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

Hawks return just 5 starters, but Bauer enters season with optimistic outlook

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Although the Ankeny football team lacks experience, the Hawks still boast plenty of talent. Ankeny returns just five starters from last year's squad that posted a 9-2 record, but first-year coach Jeff Bauer isn't concerned about the number of newcomers who will be forced to play. "Nobody is going to talk about Ankeny when you have just five returning … [Read more...] about Hawks return just 5 starters, but Bauer enters season with optimistic outlook

‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

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It turns out that the successor to Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson was already on his coaching staff. Assistant coach Jeff Bauer has been named to replace Nelson, who announced in early January that he was leaving to return to his previous position as the offensive line coach at Northern Iowa. "This is what I'm supposed to be doing," said Bauer, an … [Read more...] about ‘What more could a guy ask for?’: Ankeny native Bauer named to replace Nelson

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)

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For the last 54 years, a lot of young boys have grown up in Ankeny wanting to play football for coach Jerry Pezzetti. Some of those players wanted to follow in the footsteps of their fathers who played for Pezzetti. That was the case for Drew Carlson, a standout linebacker on Ankeny's 2012 state championship team. His father, Luke, starred for Pezzetti … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (3rd team)