Ava Gifford
The Ankeny student section showed their support by dressing out in red, white, and blue for the Ankeny versus Dowling game.
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.