Ankeny Fanatic

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Ryan Pezzetti

Jaguars strengthen playoff hopes with dominant 2nd half in win over Indianola

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Going into the final third of the regular season, the Ankeny Centennial football team didn't have much margin for error. That's what made Friday's contest against visiting Indianola a de facto playoff game for the Jaguars, who entered the night ranked 14th in the initial RPI rankings from the Iowa High School Athletic Association--one spot behind the … [Read more...] about Jaguars strengthen playoff hopes with dominant 2nd half in win over Indianola

‘They’re just really good’: No. 2 Tigers overcome early deficit to beat Centennial

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The Ankeny Centennial football team got off to a great start in Friday's game at second-ranked Valley. The Jaguars took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, when Brekken Miller fired a 36-yard touchdown pass to Luke Mitchell on fourth-and-9. "We got the ball first and put together a great drive," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "It was over 15 … [Read more...] about ‘They’re just really good’: No. 2 Tigers overcome early deficit to beat Centennial

Jaguars rely on balanced offense, stingy defense to post 42-0 victory at Urbandale

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A balanced offensive attack and a stingy defensive effort proved to be a winning combination for the Ankeny Centennial football team. The Jaguars scored a pair of touchdowns in the first, second and fourth quarters while allowing just 192 total yards and rolled to a 42-0 victory at Urbandale on Friday. It was the Class 5A District 4 opener for both … [Read more...] about Jaguars rely on balanced offense, stingy defense to post 42-0 victory at Urbandale

‘It got away from us’: Jaguars’ bid for 2nd straight victory over Ankeny falls short

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) After two quarters of play, the Ankeny Centennial football team was within striking distance going into the locker room after a momentum-swinging interception right before halftime. But things took a nose dive south from the very first play of the second half, and the Jaguars watched as the annual Jag-Hawk crosstown rivalry … [Read more...] about ‘It got away from us’: Jaguars’ bid for 2nd straight victory over Ankeny falls short

‘Our kids responded pretty well’: Despite short week, Jaguars romp past Lincoln

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It may not have been a normal week of preparation, but the results spoke for themselves. A day prior to the usual Friday Night Lights action, Ankeny Centennial was on a bus to Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines for some Thursday night football against Des Moines Lincoln. Behind another four-touchdown performance from star … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids responded pretty well’: Despite short week, Jaguars romp past Lincoln

Morgan’s huge night on ground, Reed’s pick-6 lead Jaguars to rout over Linn-Mar

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The Ankeny Centennial football team couldn't afford to have an 0-2 start to the season. JJ Morgan and Kiefer Reed made sure that the Jaguars didn't. Morgan rushed for 207 yards and four touchdowns in the first half alone, and Reed added a pick-6 as well as a fumble recovery as Centennial rolled to a 35-10 victory over visiting Linn-Mar (Marion) on … [Read more...] about Morgan’s huge night on ground, Reed’s pick-6 lead Jaguars to rout over Linn-Mar

‘The little mistakes hurt us’: Kickoffs prove costly in Jaguars’ 30-14 loss at S.E. Polk

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Just when the Ankeny Centennial football team appeared to have all the momentum, Southeast Polk grabbed it right back in the next couple of plays. The four-time defending state champion Rams scored two touchdowns in a 2-minute span of the third quarter and went on to beat visiting Centennial, 30-14, in the season opener for both squads on Friday. "The … [Read more...] about ‘The little mistakes hurt us’: Kickoffs prove costly in Jaguars’ 30-14 loss at S.E. Polk

‘We’re excited for this season’: Jaguars to open up against 4-time defending champ

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Most football coaches would prefer to play an overmatched opponent in the season opener just to give their younger players an opportunity to gain some experience. Ankeny Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti won't have that luxury. The Jaguars will kick off the 2025 season on Friday with a game at Southeast Polk, the four-time defending Class 5A state … [Read more...] about ‘We’re excited for this season’: Jaguars to open up against 4-time defending champ

Dowling uses two late defensive stands to hold on for 14-10 victory over Jaguars

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Friday's rematch between the Ankeny Centennial and Dowling Catholic football teams didn't feature as many points as last month's meeting at Valley Stadium. But there was still plenty of drama. The second-ranked Maroons made two late defensive stops in the fourth quarter and held on for a 14-10 victory over No. 7 Centennial in the Class 5A quarterfinals … [Read more...] about Dowling uses two late defensive stands to hold on for 14-10 victory over Jaguars

Jackson erupts for 372 all-purpose yards, 6 TDs in Jaguars’ win over Iowa City High

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Braeden Jackson felt pretty good when he woke up on Friday, and that turned out to be the worst possible news for the Iowa City Little Hawks. Ankeny Centennial’s standout running back delivered an historic performance as he amassed 372 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns to lead the seventh-seeded Jaguars to a 52-28 … [Read more...] about Jackson erupts for 372 all-purpose yards, 6 TDs in Jaguars’ win over Iowa City High

Jaguars rout Urbandale on Senior Night, earn No. 7 seed for Class 5A playoffs

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) All season long, the Ankeny Centennial football team has made a living running the ball. But on Friday, the Urbandale J-Hawks caught a glimpse of just how dangerous the Jaguars' passing game can be. Centennial closed out its regular season and gave its seniors plenty to smile about after recording dominant offensive and … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Urbandale on Senior Night, earn No. 7 seed for Class 5A playoffs

Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Two big plays, back-to-back, was all it took for the door to get knocked off its hinges. With some playoff implications on the line, the 12th-ranked Ankeny Centennial football team went on the road and dominated the second half for a 28-10 win over a Waukee Northwest squad fighting to keep its postseason hopes … [Read more...] about Jaguars likely clinch playoff berth with dominant 2nd half at Waukee Northwest

‘One game at a time’: Jaguars rebound to beat Roosevelt, face Waukee NW next

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There’s no doubt that the Jaguars wanted to knock off Dowling Catholic at Valley Stadium last Friday, but there was just simply no time to dwell on their triple-overtime loss. Instead, Ankeny Centennial kept its sights set on reaching the postseason and it resulted in a 45-3 bounce-back victory over visiting Des Moines … [Read more...] about ‘One game at a time’: Jaguars rebound to beat Roosevelt, face Waukee NW next

‘It came down to the last play’: Centennial falls to No. 1 Dowling in triple-OT thriller

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As the pass from Ankeny Centennial's Chase Kluver sailed toward the right corner of the end zone, Sam Heither dove for the ball in an effort to make a spectacular catch. Heither somehow made the grab, which would have provided the tying points for the sixth-ranked Jaguars in the third overtime of Friday's game against No. 1 Dowling Catholic. Centennial … [Read more...] about ‘It came down to the last play’: Centennial falls to No. 1 Dowling in triple-OT thriller

Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East

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A trip to Williams Stadium on Friday night provided an opportunity for the Ankeny Centennial football team to bounce back from its first loss of the season. The Jaguars took advantage of it. Braeden Jackson returned the opening kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown and Centennial went on to beat host Des Moines East, 44-7, in its district opener. "My … [Read more...] about Jackson scores on opening kickoff to spark Jaguars to 44-7 victory at East

‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

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The Southeast Polk football team isn't ready to give up its throne. The three-time defending Class 5A state champions scored two touchdowns in a span of 2 minutes in the third quarter and went on to beat top-ranked Ankeny Centennial, 21-13, on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The Jaguars (3-1) suffered their first loss of the season, while Southeast Polk (2-2) … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against S.E. Polk

‘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

Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames

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It's usually important for a football team to win the battle of field position. It certainly was for Ankeny Centennial on Friday night. The Jaguars played almost the entire first half against visiting Ames in the Little Cyclones' territory, allowing them to build a 35-7 lead en route to a 55-14 victory. "Field position is a key, no question about … [Read more...] about Jaguars take advantage of short fields, romp to 55-14 victory over Ames