Ankeny Fanatic

Your Ankeny Sports Resource

Ryan Pezzetti

‘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

‘Our strength is going to be our defense’: Jaguars to rely on experienced unit

by

The key to Ankeny Centennial's success on the football field this fall will be the Jaguars' ability to prevent their opponents from reaching the end zone. "When you look at our team from a year ago and we've looked at how to build a competitive team, we knew right away that our strength is going to be our defense," said Centennial co-head coach Ryan … [Read more...] about ‘Our strength is going to be our defense’: Jaguars to rely on experienced unit

TOO MUCH MORROW: Valley ends Jaguars’ season behind QB’s 5 TDs

by

Valley quarterback Mason Morrow didn't take over the starting position last year until heralded transfer Jake Rubley was declared ineligible by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Rubley's departure may have been a blessing in disguise for the Tigers. Morrow, who has developed into a solid quarterback, passed for three touchdowns and ran for two … [Read more...] about TOO MUCH MORROW: Valley ends Jaguars’ season behind QB’s 5 TDs

Jaguars punch their ticket to Class 5A playoffs with 63-6 victory at East

by

The Ankeny Centennial football team is headed to the Class 5A playoffs. The Jaguars entered Friday's regular-season finale at Des Moines East in a must-win situation. They took care of business with a convincing 63-6 victory over the Scarlets. Centennial also needed some other teams to lose--primarily Des Moines Lincoln and Des Moines Roosevelt--and … [Read more...] about Jaguars punch their ticket to Class 5A playoffs with 63-6 victory at East

Injury-depleted Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, putting playoff hopes in jeopardy

by

If Friday's matchup against visiting Southeast Polk wasn't a must-win game for the Ankeny Centennial football team, then next week's regular-season finale at Des Moines East certainly will be. The Jaguars dropped to 3-5 on the season with a 16-0 loss to second-ranked Southeast Polk, putting their playoff hopes in severe jeopardy. They entered the game … [Read more...] about Injury-depleted Jaguars tumble to S.E. Polk, putting playoff hopes in jeopardy

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

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

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

by

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

by

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

by

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

by

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