Ankeny thrives on big plays to beat Sioux City North
By KATE BAIER • REGISTER CORRESPONDENT • October 30, 2008
Fifth-ranked Ankeny was all business in its 48-13 pounding of Sioux City North in a Class 4-A substate game Wednesday at Ankeny.
“We prepared all week and we knew what we had to do,” quarterback Dan Behmer said. “We tried some different things and they worked well for us. We executed.”
Ankeny improved to 9-1 and moves on to Monday’s first round of the playoffs. Sioux City North finished 4-5.
Seven players scored for Ankeny.
Senior kicker Zeb Miller broke his collarbone in the first quarter. The Hawks will rely on freshman Cole Netten for kicking situations in the playoffs.
“We lost our kicker tonight, and that’s hard to take,” Ankeny coach Jerry Pezzetti said. “It’s going to be tough whoever we play. At this level, it’s good football.”
Behmer found Ethan Matthews for a 53-yard touchdown pass to open the game. Then Jared Goforth broke away for a 51-yard run to the 5-yard line and Tyler Leo took it in for another Ankeny touchdown.
Ross Naylor scored to put the Hawks up 20-0 in the first quarter.
“We knew that they may not have been the best opponent we’ve played, but that doesn’t take away from it,” said offensive lineman Andy Larson. “You can’t take anything for granted, you just got to be prepared for anything.”
The Hawks began the second quarter with a 25-yard Goforth touchdown run. Then Alec Lewis quick-stepped his way 92 yards to the end zone. With 30 seconds left in the half, Naylor barreled into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown run.
The Hawks opened the second half leading 41-0 and with 431 offensive yards. After Brennan DeJong went 46 yards on a touchdown run halfway through the third quarter, Pezzetti put his second string on the field.
