Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Ryan Pezzetti

‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

by

(Story by Rob Gray) From the first snap, Ankeny Centennial just looked different. The underdog Jaguars strode into Friday’s Class 5A playoff matchup at No. 4 Waukee Northwest with a spring in their step and a thirst for revenge in their roster-wide heart. “We’ve had the juice since Monday,” said Centennial running back Elijah Porter, who rushed for … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids rose to the occasion’: Jaguars dominate Waukee NW in playoff rematch

Jaguars rough up Roosevelt, move closer to playoff berth with 43-7 triumph

by

All of the goals for the Ankeny Centennial football team are still in play. Elijah Porter ran for three touchdowns and the Jaguars raised their record to 4-3 with a 43-7 victory over Des Moines Roosevelt on Friday at Drake Stadium. The Roughriders dropped to 3-4. "We started off awful slow, and then we got some steam there in the second quarter and … [Read more...] about Jaguars rough up Roosevelt, move closer to playoff berth with 43-7 triumph

Pick-6 on game’s final play seals Dowling Catholic’s 30-17 win over Centennial

by

The Ankeny Centennial football team twice converted on fourth down to keep its final drive alive during Friday's game against visiting Dowling Catholic. The Jaguars couldn't do it a third time. Dowling's Kenyi James picked off a pass on the game's final play and returned it 99 yards for a touchdown to seal the second-ranked Maroons' 30-17 victory over … [Read more...] about Pick-6 on game’s final play seals Dowling Catholic’s 30-17 win over Centennial

Jaguars rout Des Moines East for most lopsided victory in school history

by

There have been some lopsided wins in the history of Ankeny Centennial football. No game, however, has been as big of a mismatch as Friday's homecoming contest against Des Moines East. The Jaguars jumped out to a 37-0 lead in the first quarter and went on to post a 72-0 victory at Ankeny Stadium. The biggest previous win was a 63-0  rout over … [Read more...] about Jaguars rout Des Moines East for most lopsided victory in school history

‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) The Ankeny Centennial football team proved on Friday night that it can go toe-to-toe with the state's No. 1 squad. The fourth-ranked Jaguars battled two-time defending state champion Southeast Polk down to the wire before dropping a 24-21 decision to the host Rams. “Our kids fought their tails off," said Centennial co-head … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids fought their tails off’: Jaguars battle S.E. Polk to the wire in 24-21 loss

Smith passes for school-record 6 TDs, leads Jaguars to rout over Cedar Falls

by

Ankeny Centennial's Trenton Smith still remembers walking off the UNI-Dome field after a first-round loss to Cedar Falls in last year's Class 5A football playoffs. "That (game) was definitely in the back of our minds this whole week," said Smith. "It was a pretty sour loss, and I think all of our guys kind of rallied. They knew this was a statement game, … [Read more...] about Smith passes for school-record 6 TDs, leads Jaguars to rout over Cedar Falls

Smith clicks against his former team, leads Centennial to rout over Ames

by

(Story by Gabe Ploeger) Entering the Ames High Stadium on Friday night, the Ankeny Centennial football team was looking for a bounce-back game. Suffering a close loss against Ankeny the week before, the 10th-ranked Jaguars were hungry for a win. Adding onto the pressure, Centennial quarterback Trenton Smith had previously played for Ames before … [Read more...] about Smith clicks against his former team, leads Centennial to rout over Ames

SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

by

With the game on the line, the Ankeny football team didn't run the play that was called in the huddle. It worked out for the Hawks anyway. Devon Akers caught a two-point pass from Luke Anderson to give the Hawks a thrilling 39-38 victory over rival Ankeny Centennial in double overtime on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "We actually messed up the play," … [Read more...] about SOUTHSIDE PRIDE: Hawks erase 17-point deficit, knock off Jaguars in double OT

Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

by

Ankeny's crosstown rivals will collide on the gridiron for the 12th time on Friday at Ankeny Stadium to kick off the 2023 high school football season. Ankeny Centennial leads the all-time series, 8-3, but Ankeny has won two of the last three meetings--including a 17-10 victory by the Hawks in 2022. "Ankeny's had a very nice run the last few years," … [Read more...] about Jag-Hawk rivalry resumes on Friday night to kick off 2023 football season

‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

by

There's a lot of experience on the Ankeny Centennial football team. Co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti is hoping that the return of 12 players who had significant roles on last year's squad that posted a 5-5 record will produce an even better season in 2023. "We've got a great group of kids," said Pezzetti. "We've got quite a few players back on offense and a … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a great group of kids’: Jaguars return wealth of offensive weapons

‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls

by

The Ankeny Centennial football players were hoping to finish their season in the UNI-Dome. The Jaguars ended up doing just that, but not in the Class 5A championship game like they would have preferred. No. 12 Centennial traveled to Cedar Falls on Friday and fell to the No. 5 Tigers, 14-10, in the opening round of the playoffs. The Jaguars, who had … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a tough one to swallow’: Turnovers prove costly in Jags’ loss at Cedar Falls

Jaguars romp past East to clinch playoff berth, await postseason pairings

by

The Ankeny Centennial football team entered Friday's regular-season finale against visiting Des Moines East ranked 14th in the PRI ratings and badly needing a victory to clinch a Class 5A playoff berth. The Jaguars got what they needed in resounding fashion. Centennial scored a touchdown just 19 seconds into the game and went on to rout the Scarlets, … [Read more...] about Jaguars romp past East to clinch playoff berth, await postseason pairings

‘We knew it would be tough’: Jaguars fall to No. 2 S.E. Polk without Porter, Smith

by

This wasn't the best week for the Ankeny Centennial football team to be missing two of its key players. With quarterback Trenton Smith and running back Elijah Porter both out with injuries, the eighth-ranked Jaguars traveled to defending Class 5A state champion Southeast Polk and suffered a 42-16 loss on Friday. "We knew it would be tough," said … [Read more...] about ‘We knew it would be tough’: Jaguars fall to No. 2 S.E. Polk without Porter, Smith

AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale

by

The identity of the Ankeny Centennial football program appears to be changing. Traditionally known as a power running team, the Jaguars have now evolved into a dangerous passing squad--somewhat out of necessity. With standout junior running back Elijah Porter sidelined by an injury, quarterback Trenton Smith took over on Friday and passed for four … [Read more...] about AIR RAID?: Jaguars ride Smith’s 4 TD passes to 28-23 win at No. 6 Urbandale

Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28

by

A drizzling rain couldn't put a damper on Ankeny Centennial's homecoming football game. Cael Wiener booted an 18-yard field goal with 58 seconds left to give the 10th-ranked Jaguars a 31-28 victory over No. 6 Sioux City East on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. "I was very confident I was going to make it," said Wiener, who had earlier converted all four of … [Read more...] about Jaguars hand No. 6 Sioux City East its first loss on Wiener’s late field goal, 31-28

‘Our kids stepped up’: Jaguars avenge 2021 loss to Cedar Falls by same score

by

The Ankeny Centennial football team turned the tables on visiting Cedar Falls. After dropping a 28-14 decision at Cedar Falls last year, the Jaguars dominated Friday's rematch at Ankeny Stadium and defeated the Tigers by the same score, leaving both teams with a 2-2 record. "A year ago when we played them in the (UNI)-Dome, they physically handed it to … [Read more...] about ‘Our kids stepped up’: Jaguars avenge 2021 loss to Cedar Falls by same score

Jaguars unleash potent passing attack, romp to 31-6 victory at Waukee

by

Ankeny Centennial has been striving to play a complete football game on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The Jaguars accomplished their goal on Friday. Centennial unleashed a potent passing attack and continued to play solid defense as the Jaguars rolled to a 31-6 victory at Waukee for their first win of the season. "It was a much-needed win," … [Read more...] about Jaguars unleash potent passing attack, romp to 31-6 victory at Waukee

‘It was intense’: Patton scores go-ahead TD, lifts Hawks past rival Centennial

by

Jamison Patton transferred to Ankeny to play in football games like Friday night's showdown against Ankeny Centennial. The move has paid off for the Hawks. Patton scored the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and second-ranked Ankeny went on to defeat the Jaguars, 17-10, before an overflow crowd at Ankeny Stadium. The former Des Moines Roosevelt … [Read more...] about ‘It was intense’: Patton scores go-ahead TD, lifts Hawks past rival Centennial

‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against Kluver, Indianola

by

A late rally fell short for the Ankeny Centennial football team in its season opener on Friday. The Jaguars scored two touchdowns in the final 4 1/2 minutes before visiting Indianola recovered an onside kick to preserve a 26-20 victory at Ankeny Stadium. "The second half was just too little and too late," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "I … [Read more...] about ‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars’ rally falls short against Kluver, Indianola