![Sophomore Lily Bell posing as a player in the senior assassin game. Seniors participating in the game eliminate others by squirting them with a water gun, and can wear goggles for immunity against others. “People did have to go out and buy [water] guns, but most people have the googles at home, but you don’t even have to use a gun, you can use water of any sort,” senior Gwyn Christensen said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-1-1-900x1200.jpg)
![The shadows against a captivating blue are a nod to the “Catch Me If You Can” musical poster, both for this performance and the blue from the Broadway show. The detectives in this scene are at shooting practice, in preparation for when they finally encounter Frank Abagnale Jr. “We always say our motto is ‘theater is a team sport,’ and really just emphasizing to our students that everyone is welcome in the drama department. There's always a role for you, whether or not, on stage or behind the scenes, in the costume shop, in the scene shop. [There are] all sorts of different things that go into bringing a show to life. So we love our drama hawks and welcome everyone to drama,” Drama Director Mollie Jo Blahunka said.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/cmiyc-1200x800.jpg)
![Henry, Emily (2021). People we meet on vacation [Book cover]. Berkley Books. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. Haley, Brett (2026). People we meet on vacation [Movie poster]. Movie poster courtesy of 3000 Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Made by Adilyn Hoop using Canva.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/vacay1.png)
![Lockhart, E. (2025). We fell apart [Book cover]. Delacorte Press. Image used under fair use for purposes of commentary and review. The newest book in the “We were liars” collection was released Nov. 4.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/wefell1.png)
![A Group of PEOPEL PE students and helpers set up an obstacle course during class. The “Amazing Race” unit had started in PEOPEL PE where the students and helpers got to compete in a variety of different activities and games. “We try our best to make [inclusion] a school-wide event, but it's just so much more different when you actually engage with the students hands-on and actually get to know them as people.” Sophomore Bree Christensen said. Photo Taken by Ada McNulty.](https://ahstalonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-12-1200x900.jpg)
It may have been Friday the 13th, but it was only good luck for the Ankeny Hawks during their matchup against the number one ranked Dowling Maroons. Ankeny showcased a strong running game as well as an impressive defense to earn the victory over Dowling.
Ankeny started off the game with a long pass to junior Andrew Brandhorst for a Hawk touchdown to give Ankeny an early 7-0 lead.
Dowling countered with an 18 yard touchdown run, but missed the PAT (point after touchdown) to bring the score to 7-6. The Maroons then scored a second touchdown on a 4-yard run to finish the first quarter with a score of 13-7.
In the second quarter of the game, junior LaMarious Clark intercepted a Dowling pass. Ankeny ended the half with a field goal by senior kicker Ryan Harrington, which tied the score at 13-13.
The Hawks went into the second half of the game tied with Dowling, but were able to pull ahead with a 41-yard field goal. This put the score at 16-13, with Ankeny leading the game at the end of the third quarter.
Dowling fired back with a field goal of their own to tie the score at 16-16 with only four minutes left in the game.
However, Ankeny would have the last word as senior quarterback Luke Anderson threw a touchdown pass to senior Evan Irlmeier with less than two minutes left on the game clock. This set the Hawks up to defeat the Dowling Maroons, with a final score of 23-16.
Following the upset, Ankeny looks to continue the momentum they found this game as they take on the Johnston Dragons on Friday, Sept. 20 at Johnston.
