Ankeny Fanatic

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Jerry Pezzetti

‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Iowa high school football’s all-time winningest coach has checked off a milestone no other coach has reached. Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Jerry Pezzetti is just one of three coaches to pass the 400-win threshold, but thanks to the Jaguars’ 31-14 road win over Cedar Falls on Friday, the Ankeny legend became the first … [Read more...] about ‘We just played great’: Pezzetti earns his 450th career win as Jags top Cedar Falls

Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

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Jerry Pezzetti has always started his pregame speeches with the same word during his legendary career as a football coach. "Men," he says. "Just by calling us 'men' we felt big, strong and powerful," said Jon Leverenz, a star linebacker for Pezzetti in the 1980s. "And he would proceed to make us feel unstoppable regardless of the challenges ahead. But … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic announces its all-time Ankeny football team (1st team)

Pezzetti to be inducted into National Coaches Association Hall of Fame

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Ankeny Centennial co-head football coach Jerry Pezzetti will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Tuesday night at Prairie Meadows. Pezzetti, Iowa's all-time winningest coach with 435 career victories, will be one of 41 inductees from across the nation in the 2022 Hall of Fame class. "I'm proud to be … [Read more...] about Pezzetti to be inducted into National Coaches Association Hall of Fame

ONE OF A KIND: Pezzetti stands alone following Jaguars’ rout over Waukee

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Jerry Pezzetti now stands alone. The Ankeny Centennial football team scored six first-half touchdowns and rolled to a 42-7 victory over visiting Waukee on Friday, allowing Pezzetti to become the all-time leader in coaching victories. He now has 433 career wins, surpassing previous leader Dick Tighe. "I'm very proud to be one of the top coaches in the … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Pezzetti stands alone following Jaguars’ rout over Waukee

Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Peyton Goode, Ankeny Centennial football

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Senior quarterback Peyton Goode helped lead the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 14-7 victory over second-ranked Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. He was named player of the game along with Ankeny's Colin Kadolph. Goode ran for 70 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. He also completed 7-of-10 passes for 103 yards, including a 48-yarder to Chase … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Peyton Goode, Ankeny Centennial football

CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion

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Jerry Pezzetti stood at midfield and watched as his Ankeny Centennial football players celebrated a huge win over their crosstown rival. He wiped a tear out of his eye after reaching a coaching milestone. "You've got to hand it to these kids," Pezzetti said following the Jaguars' 14-7 victory over second-ranked Ankeny on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "They … [Read more...] about CENTENNIAL 14, ANKENY 7: Pezzetti ties all-time record in stunning fashion

‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

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The losses stick out in Jerry Pezzetti's mind much more than the victories. Over the last six decades, there haven't been a lot of them. "People talk about the wins, but I think I remember the losses a lot more than the wins," said Pezzetti, who has been coaching high school football for 60 years. "Someone asked me how many wins (I have), and I don't … [Read more...] about ‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

Pezzetti moves closer to all-time record as Jaguars romp past Sioux City East

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Jerry Pezzetti moved a step closer to a huge milestone on Friday. His Ankeny Centennial football team also took a big step forward. The visiting Jaguars jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat ninth-ranked Sioux City East, 55-14, in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs at Olsen Stadium. "The kids played hard," said Pezzetti. … [Read more...] about Pezzetti moves closer to all-time record as Jaguars romp past Sioux City East

Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

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Mike Fontana didn't think too much of it when he was nominated for the Class 4A assistant football coach of the year award. About a week ago, the longtime Ankeny Centennial and Ankeny assistant was told that he had won the honor from the Iowa Football Coaches Association. "I was like, 'Really. Is this for real?'" Fontana said. "It just made me think … [Read more...] about Centennial’s Fontana named Class 4A assistant football coach of the year

Depleted Jaguars roll past Urbandale without trio of injured starters

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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

Jaguars romp to 41-0 victory for their second consecutive shutout

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Jerry Pezzetti has won 414 games in his legendary high school football coaching career. Pezzetti and his son, Ryan, get a lot of the credit for building the Ankeny Centennial program from scratch into one of the state's top Class 4A teams. Perhaps now it's time to give some of the credit to Jeff Helgeson, the Jaguars' defensive … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp to 41-0 victory for their second consecutive shutout

Oh brother: Jaguars unveil another speedy Gates in win over Ankeny

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Avery Gates finally got his chance to take center stage in Ankeny's crosstown rivalry. He didn't let it go to waste. The junior running back rushed for 130 yards on 16 carries and scored all three of the game's touchdowns as the seventh-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team opened its season on Friday with a 20-0 victory over Ankeny before an overflow … [Read more...] about Oh brother: Jaguars unveil another speedy Gates in win over Ankeny