Ankeny Fanatic

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Ryan Pezzetti

‘We’ve got to get better in a hurry’: Jags fall to 3-4, face playoff elimination

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There is no margin for error left for the Ankeny Centennial football team. The Jaguars dropped to 3-4 on the season with a 17-6 loss at Waukee Northwest on Friday. They may have to sweep their final two games--against No. 3 Southeast Polk and Des Moines East--in order to make the Class 5A playoffs. Northwest (4-3) and Centennial entered Friday's game … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got to get better in a hurry’: Jags fall to 3-4, face playoff elimination

‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds

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With less than 2 minutes left to play, the Ankeny Centennial football team was in position to pull out a huge victory on Friday at Ankeny Stadium. The 10th-ranked Jaguars had just taken an 18-12 lead over No. 8 Urbandale and needed one defensive stop to seal the outcome. But they couldn't close the deal. The J-Hawks drove 80 yards down the field and … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t stop them’: Jaguars fall to Urbandale in final seconds

After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East

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A gutsy call to open the second half helped spark the Ankeny Centennial football team to a 30-0 road victory over Sioux City East on Friday at Olsen Stadium. Leading by only 10-0 at halftime, the Jaguars recovered an onside kick to open the third quarter and went on to reach the end zone. They added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the … [Read more...] about After onside kick, Jaguars pull away in 2nd half for 30-0 win at Sioux City East

‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars can’t overcome slow start in loss at Cedar Falls

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The Ankeny Centennial football team got off to a slow start Friday and never recovered. Seventh-ranked Cedar Falls scored on a halfback pass on its first play from scrimmage, built a 22-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat the No. 9 Jaguars, 28-14, in the first-ever meeting between the two schools at the UNI-Dome. "The second half we played a lot … [Read more...] about ‘Too little and too late’: Jaguars can’t overcome slow start in loss at Cedar Falls

ONE OF A KIND: Pezzetti stands alone following Jaguars’ rout over Waukee

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Jerry Pezzetti now stands alone. The Ankeny Centennial football team scored six first-half touchdowns and rolled to a 42-7 victory over visiting Waukee on Friday, allowing Pezzetti to become the all-time leader in coaching victories. He now has 433 career wins, surpassing previous leader Dick Tighe. "I'm very proud to be one of the top coaches in the … [Read more...] about ONE OF A KIND: Pezzetti stands alone following Jaguars’ rout over Waukee

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

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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

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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

Ex-Hawk Kluver guides Indianola to 42-13 victory over Jaguars, Pezzetti

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Eric Kluver grew up in Ankeny wanting to play football for legendary coach Jerry Pezzetti. Kluver eventually followed in Pezzetti's footsteps, becoming a head coach and building a solid program at Indianola. On Friday, Kluver prevented his mentor from tying the state's all-time record for coaching wins. Indianola overcame an early 13-7 deficit by … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk Kluver guides Indianola to 42-13 victory over Jaguars, Pezzetti

‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

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The losses stick out in Jerry Pezzetti's mind much more than the victories. Over the last six decades, there haven't been a lot of them. "People talk about the wins, but I think I remember the losses a lot more than the wins," said Pezzetti, who has been coaching high school football for 60 years. "Someone asked me how many wins (I have), and I don't … [Read more...] about ‘We’re all trying to get it for him’: Pezzetti needs just 2 wins to set all-time mark

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football

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Sophomore offensive lineman Riley Keller is a member of the Ankeny Centennial football team. Keller helped the Jaguars to a 2-6 record this season. "Riley is a hard-working young man on and off the football field," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "His persistence to be a team contributor was evident when given the opportunity." … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Riley Keller, Ankeny Centennial football

‘They are everything and more that we thought’: S.E. Polk ends Jaguars’ season

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The Ankeny Centennial football team has made a lot of progress since the Jaguars lost at Southeast Polk, 29-0, on Sept. 4. But not enough to pull off an upset against the top-ranked Rams. Southeast Polk (8-0) remained unbeaten with a 41-7 victory over visiting Centennial in the third round of the Class 4A playoffs on Friday. The Jaguars finished the … [Read more...] about ‘They are everything and more that we thought’: S.E. Polk ends Jaguars’ season

Pezzetti moves closer to all-time record as Jaguars romp past Sioux City East

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Jerry Pezzetti moved a step closer to a huge milestone on Friday. His Ankeny Centennial football team also took a big step forward. The visiting Jaguars jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead and went on to defeat ninth-ranked Sioux City East, 55-14, in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs at Olsen Stadium. "The kids played hard," said Pezzetti. … [Read more...] about Pezzetti moves closer to all-time record as Jaguars romp past Sioux City East

Blimpie Sub of the Week: Peyton Goode, Ankeny Centennial football

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Junior Peyton Goode is a member of the Ankeny Centennial football team. He has played a variety of positions for the Jaguars, including quarterback. Goode has completed 5-of-14 passes for 85 yards. He has rushed for 66 yards on 23 carries and caught 11 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Goode has made 9.5 tackles, including six for … [Read more...] about Blimpie Sub of the Week: Peyton Goode, Ankeny Centennial football

Jaguars look ahead to playoffs after ending regular season with loss at Valley

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The Ankeny Centennial football team was looking to build some momentum heading into the Class 4A playoffs. The Jaguars finally got some during the second half of Friday's regular-season finale at Valley. It was just a little too late. After Valley jumped out to a 27-0 halftime lead, Centennial outscored the Tigers in the second half, 10-0, to come … [Read more...] about Jaguars look ahead to playoffs after ending regular season with loss at Valley

‘I couldn’t be happier for them’: Jaguars hold off Ames, Lipsey to earn first victory

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For the first time this season, the Ankeny Centennial football team lined up in the victory formation at the end of Friday's homecoming game against Ames. The Jaguars milked the final seconds off the clock to preserve a 21-17 triumph at Ankeny Stadium. "Our kids played great," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan Pezzetti. "I couldn't be happier for … [Read more...] about ‘I couldn’t be happier for them’: Jaguars hold off Ames, Lipsey to earn first victory

A sign of progress: Jaguars battle No. 9 Johnston down to the wire before falling

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If the Ankeny Centennial football team continues to improve over the next three weeks, the Jaguars could be a dangerous opponent in the upcoming Class 4A playoffs--despite entering the postseason with a losing record. Centennial battled ninth-ranked Johnston down to the wire on Friday before falling to the Dragons, 14-7, at Johnston Stadium. The Jaguars … [Read more...] about A sign of progress: Jaguars battle No. 9 Johnston down to the wire before falling

No. 4 S.E. Polk gets off to fast start, romps to 29-0 win over Jaguars

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The Ankeny Centennial football team was looking to bounce back from a season-opening loss to second-ranked Ankeny. A trip to Pleasant Hill to face No. 4 Southeast Polk on Friday wasn't what the Jaguars needed. Titus Christensen rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns as the Rams rolled to a 29-0 victory in their home opener. They improved to 2-0 on … [Read more...] about No. 4 S.E. Polk gets off to fast start, romps to 29-0 win over Jaguars

‘They overwhelmed us’: High-powered Hawks dominate Centennial in 48-6 win

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You can believe the hype. The Ankeny football team is for real. Jase Bauer passed for four touchdowns and Colin Kadolph ran for three more as the second-ranked Hawks romped to a 48-6 victory over No. 7 Ankeny Centennial on Friday at Ankeny Stadium, defeating the Jaguars for the first time since 2015. "We all thought it was going to happen," Kadolph … [Read more...] about ‘They overwhelmed us’: High-powered Hawks dominate Centennial in 48-6 win