Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson is headed back to Cedar Falls. Nelson, who was a longtime assistant coach at Northern Iowa before taking over the Hawks' program in 2015, has announced his resignation. He will rejoin the Panthers' staff as the offensive line coach. Nelson replaces Ryan Clanton, who was the offensive line coach and offensive … [Read more...] about Nelson resigns after 8 years at Ankeny, will rejoin UNI as offensive line coach
Rick Nelson
Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals
Survive and advance. That's all that matters this time of the year. The third-ranked Ankeny football team struggled offensively, but the Hawks' defense rose to the occasion in a 17-0 victory over No. 13 Sioux City East in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "Our defense played really well," said Ankeny coach Rick … [Read more...] about Hawks record shutout over S.C. East, will host Johnston in Class 5A quarterfinals
Hawks fly into playoffs with 54-6 win at Lincoln, move up to No. 3 in RPI rankings
The Ankeny football team is cruising into the Class 5A playoffs. The Hawks, who were tied for third in the latest Associated Press rankings, rolled to a 54-6 victory at Des Moines Lincoln in their regular-season finale on Friday. Ankeny improved to 8-1 with its sixth straight win. Lincoln finished with a 1-8 record. The Hawks have outscored … [Read more...] about Hawks fly into playoffs with 54-6 win at Lincoln, move up to No. 3 in RPI rankings
‘I was proud of our defense’: Hawks shut down Waukee NW en route to 31-7 win
Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson had an uneasy feeling about Friday's game against visiting Waukee Northwest. The seventh-ranked Wolves were coming off a 20-14 victory over Ankeny Centennial on the same field a week ago, when Brady Grisham ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns. "I was scared they were just going to be able to run it down our throats," … [Read more...] about ‘I was proud of our defense’: Hawks shut down Waukee NW en route to 31-7 win
‘It felt so good to be back there’: Patton helps Hawks to victory over Roosevelt
Jamison Patton felt right at home on Friday night at Drake Stadium. So did his Ankeny football teammates. Patton caught four passes for 37 yards against his former team as the third-ranked Hawks built a 28-0 lead and went on to post a 35-18 victory over host Des Moines Roosevelt. He played for the Roughriders last season before transferring to … [Read more...] about ‘It felt so good to be back there’: Patton helps Hawks to victory over Roosevelt