Ankeny Fanatic

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Rick Nelson

Ankeny plays lights out in Week 2, stifles No. 9 Dragons for 20-7 win

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By all means, Friday night’s Ankeny-Johnston matchup at Ankeny Stadium was a measuring stick game for both teams. The Hawks didn’t know if Week 1 opponent Ankeny Centennial was as good as they were last season. Ninth-ranked Johnston didn’t know if they pummeled a good Urbandale team or if the J-Hawks were just average. On Friday night, however, Ankeny … [Read more...] about Ankeny plays lights out in Week 2, stifles No. 9 Dragons for 20-7 win

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

Hawks look to end scoring drought, losing streak against Centennial

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In recent years, the Ankeny Centennial football team has dominated the Jag-Hawk rivalry. Will the Jaguars' dominance continue in 2019? We're about to find out. Centennial will host Ankeny on Friday in the season opener for both teams. Kickoff at Ankeny Stadium is at 7 p.m. "I think it's kind of neat to play them for the first game of the year," said … [Read more...] about Hawks look to end scoring drought, losing streak against 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

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

Hawks crush S.C. East in do-or-die game, qualify for Class 4A playoffs

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The playoffs have already started for the Ankeny football team. The visiting Hawks earned a berth in the Class 4A playoffs with a 42-6 victory over Sioux City East on Friday at Olsen Stadium. The contest was a battle for second place in District 1. It was also a de facto playoff game, because Sioux City East was No. 16 in the Iowa High School Athletic … [Read more...] about Hawks crush S.C. East in do-or-die game, qualify for Class 4A playoffs

Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

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Ankeny's Conner Niffenegger missed the last six football games after suffering an ACL injury during the Hawks' season opener against Ankeny Centennial. When Niffenegger returned to the field on Friday night against Sioux City North, it took him only 12 seconds to make a huge impact for the Hawks. The 155-pound senior fielded a short kick on the opening … [Read more...] about Niffenegger’s kickoff return sparks Hawks to 62-7 victory over S.C. North

Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

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Senior defensive lineman Romello Gray has helped the Ankeny football team to a 3-4 record, including a 2-1 mark in district play. Gray made one solo tackle for a loss and had five assists in the Hawks' 47-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln on Friday. He is tied for fourth on the team with 28.5 tackles on the season. Here is some inside info on … [Read more...] about Revive Clinic and Spa Prep of the Week: Romello Gray, Ankeny football

Hawks keep playoff hopes alive with 47-0 victory over Lincoln

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All the Ankeny football team can do is take care of its own business. That's what the Hawks did on Friday night. Ankeny rolled to a 47-0 victory over visiting Des Moines Lincoln for its third win in the last four weeks, keeping its playoff hopes alive. The Hawks are now 2-1 in Class 4A District 1 and 3-4 overall, while Lincoln's records dropped to 1-2 … [Read more...] about Hawks keep playoff hopes alive with 47-0 victory over Lincoln

Hawks score 29 points in 2nd quarter, roll past Hoover

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The field conditions at Des Moines Hoover's McGrane Stadium were less than ideal on Friday night. They didn't seem to bother the Ankeny football team. The visiting Hawks used a 29-point second quarter to build a 44-7 halftime lead and then cruised to a 51-14 victory over Hoover in a Class 4A District 1 game. "Our kids played well," said Ankeny coach … [Read more...] about Hawks score 29 points in 2nd quarter, roll past Hoover

Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

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At halftime of Friday's game against visiting Cedar Falls, the Ankeny football team trotted off the field with a 7-0 lead and a growing confidence. The next two quarters showed, however, that the Hawks still have a long way to go. The fourth-ranked Tigers responded with 28 unanswered points in the second half to post a 28-7 victory, raising their … [Read more...] about Hawks’ halftime lead evaporates as No. 4 Cedar Falls rolls to 28-7 victory

Hawks make QB change, then drop 14-9 decision at No. 2 Johnston

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The Ankeny football team made a change at quarterback prior to Friday's game at second-ranked Johnston. It produced some mixed results. Sophomore Jase Bauer connected with classmate Weston Fulk for the Hawks' first touchdown of the year, but he was also intercepted three times. One of those interceptions came on Ankeny's final drive, allowing the … [Read more...] about Hawks make QB change, then drop 14-9 decision at No. 2 Johnston

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

Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

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There was no way Ankeny's Max Griffin was going to sit out his final Jag-Hawk game with an injury. The senior defensive back/receiver suffered a dislocated shoulder during the first quarter of Friday's season opener against Ankeny Centennial, then went to the sidelines and appeared to be done for the night after taking off his jersey and shoulder … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Griffin returns to game after suffering dislocated shoulder

Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too

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A year ago, Ankeny's Ray J Crawford was one of the top running backs in the CIML, rushing for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns on 202 carries. This season, he might not be able to match those numbers. That's because Ankeny coach Rick Nelson has elected to shore up his defense by moving Crawford to linebacker. The 6-foot, 196-pound senior will still get … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Crawford hopes to be impact player on defense, too