Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Rick Nelson

‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

by

Former Ankeny football coach Brad Zelenovich has built a powerhouse program at Southeast Polk. But Zelenovich still hasn't figured out how to beat the Hawks. Sixth-ranked Ankeny turned in a dominant defensive performance to beat No. 1 Southeast Polk, 21-7, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. Zelenovich, who coached the Hawks for two seasons before taking over … [Read more...] about ‘I think we know who’s No. 1 now’: Ankeny shuts down Rams for 21-7 victory

‘WE’RE BACK’: Hawks rebound from loss with convincing win over Dowling

by

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

GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense

by

There wasn't much belief in the Ankeny Centennial football team following the Jaguars' 42-13 loss at Indianola in their season opener. But the players in the locker room never lost faith in themselves. "We just had some small mistakes that we had to fix," said Centennial senior Trey Porter. Porter intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble, while … [Read more...] about GOODE ENOUGH: Jaguars shock Ankeny behind QB’s 2 TD runs, strong defense

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

by

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

‘It’ll be fun to watch’: No. 3 Hawks look to contend for first Class 5A crown

by

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

Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title

by

Ankeny football coach Rick Nelson has been named the Coach of the Year for the state of Iowa by FNF Coaches. He was one of 33 coaches from across the country to be honored. Nelson guided Ankeny to the Class 4A state title last fall. The Hawks posted a 31-24 victory over Dowling Catholic in double overtime in the semifinals, ending the Maroons' seven-year … [Read more...] about Nelson named Coach of the Year by FNF Coaches after leading Hawks to title

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

by

Junior defensive lineman Braden Simonsen played a key role in the Ankeny football team's run to the Class 4A state title last month. Simonsen made 37 tackles for the Hawks, who boasted one of the state's best defensive units. He had 16 solo tackles, 14.5 for losses and four sacks. Simonsen also filled in at tight end during the playoffs when teammate … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Braden Simonsen, Ankeny football

KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

by

When Arland Bruce IV transferred to Ankeny earlier this fall, the Iowa recruit didn't know he was joining a state championship football squad. "I knew the talent we had was pretty scary," Bruce said. "But I really didn't look too far into it. I was just worried about trying to get onto the field with the guys." Bruce sat out the first five games of the … [Read more...] about KINGS OF THE DOME: Ankeny soars to Class 4A crown with rout over Rams

‘It’s an amazing feeling’: Hawks outlast Dowling, will play S.E. Polk for 4A crown

by

Dowling Catholic's stranglehold on the Class 4A championship trophy had to come to an end sometime. It finally did on Friday the 13th. Jase Bauer ran for the go-ahead touchdown in the second overtime, then Arland Bruce IV sealed the victory with an interception as the second-ranked Ankeny football team outlasted No. 3 Dowling, 31-24, in the Class 4A … [Read more...] about ‘It’s an amazing feeling’: Hawks outlast Dowling, will play S.E. Polk for 4A crown

THE END OF A DYNASTY: Hawks dethrone 7-time state champions

by

Arland Bruce IV didn't grow up in Ankeny, but he knows all about Dowling Catholic's recent dominance of the Class 4A football landscape. Bruce intercepted a pass on Dowling's first play in the second overtime to give the second-ranked Hawks a thrilling 31-24 victory in the Class 4A semifinals on Friday night at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The loss ended … [Read more...] about THE END OF A DYNASTY: Hawks dethrone 7-time state champions

Bruce explodes for IV touchdowns, leads No. 2 Ankeny to the UNI-Dome

by

Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has played with and against a lot of great athletes during his high school football career. He isn't sure if he's seen anyone like Arland Bruce IV. "He's just a dude," Bauer said of the Iowa recruit. "I mean, he's one of the best players I've ever seen. The dude can just flat-out play. When the play is not there, he's … [Read more...] about Bruce explodes for IV touchdowns, leads No. 2 Ankeny to the UNI-Dome

DOMEWARD BOUND: Hawks ride Bruce past Waukee, into Class 4A semifinals

by

Next stop: the UNI-Dome. The second-ranked Ankeny football team earned a trip to the Class 4A semifinals with a 28-7 victory at No. 4 Waukee on Friday. The Hawks (9-1) won their eighth straight game since dropping a 21-17 decision at Waukee (7-3) on Sept. 4. "I'm just happy for the kids," said Ankeny coach Rick Nelson. "I can't say enough about them. … [Read more...] about DOMEWARD BOUND: Hawks ride Bruce past Waukee, into Class 4A semifinals

‘We can definitely smell it’: Hawks top Cedar Falls, move closer to semifinals

by

A trip to the UNI-Dome is now just one win away for the Ankeny football team. The second-ranked Hawks advanced to the Class 4A quarterfinals for the second straight year with a 37-16 victory over visiting Cedar Falls on Friday. They scored the final 29 points of the game to erase a 16-8 deficit. "We've been anxious these last couple of weeks," … [Read more...] about ‘We can definitely smell it’: Hawks top Cedar Falls, move closer to semifinals

KA-BOOM! Kadolph runs for 5 TDs as Hawks throttle Council Bluffs Jefferson

by

After a week off, the Ankeny football team was ready for the start of the Class 4A playoffs. The second-ranked Hawks exploded for 28 points in both the second and third quarters and rolled to a 70-0 victory over visiting Council Bluffs Jefferson in a second-round game on Friday. "We knew we had to play well this week since we had a (bye) last week," … [Read more...] about KA-BOOM! Kadolph runs for 5 TDs as Hawks throttle Council Bluffs Jefferson