![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)
On Friday, October 18th, Ankeny took an impressive victory over Valley in a tight overtime matchup. The game showcased strong defense from both teams, but the Hawks came away with a 13-10 win.
Valley put the first points of the game on the scoreboard with a touchdown run in the second quarter of the game. Ankeny answered with an interception from senior Kinnick Vos, followed by a 42-yard drive that finished with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by senior Luke Anderson to tie the game 7-7 at halftime.
In the fourth quarter, Valley scored a touchdown. However, the touchdown was called back for a holding penalty, and the Tigers would have to settle for a field goal with two minutes left in the game. This put Valley in the lead with a score of 10-7.
As a result of an injury for quarterback Luke Anderson, junior Kael Roush stepped in as quarterback for the Hawks in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. A 19-yard pass to senior Caden Henkes and a 12-yard run by junior Daniel Larmie would set up a 30-yard field goal with one second left in the game. This tied the score at 10-10, forcing the game into overtime.
Ankeny’s senior kicker Ryan Harrington kicked a 20-yard field goal in overtime to put the Hawks ahead with a score of 13-10. During Valley’s final possession, a strong Ankeny defense would force Valley into a third and 12 situation. Valley’s next pass was intercepted by Ankeny’s LaMarious Clark to end the game with a Hawk victory.
Thursday, October 24th, Ankeny will have their final regular season game against Cedar Rapids Washington in Cedar Rapids.
