Intro: 

The Hawks host the Valley Tigers at 7 pm on Friday in a huge 5A Week 8 Matchup at Ankeny Stadium. The Tigers enter the game at #3 in Class 5A with a 6-1 record, their only loss coming from the undefeated #1 Waukee Northwest Wolves. The Hawks sit just below them at #5 with a 5-2 record, with their most recent loss recorded in week 6 to Johnston, accompanied by their week 1 loss to Waukee Northwest. The Tigers look to expand on their 5-game win streak, while the Hawks hope to continue to build momentum towards the postseason, after a dominant 55-3 win against Ames last week. The teams have met 9 times since 2008, with Valley leading the series 5-4. 

Things to Look For : 

1. Nearly Identical 

These two teams enter the matchup with nearly identical markers. In a majority of statistical categories, these teams are very similar. Large differences emerge when looking at schedule rank and the record for the season. Each team features two elite wide receivers, a high rushing running back, and a solid overall defense. With the power of these two teams, the game will not come down to players but to the team that can control the game.  

2. Momentum/Tempo

A football game’s outcome can come down to many factors, and as we mentioned, both Valley and Ankeny showcase lethal talent on both sides of the ball.  The main key will be who takes control over the flow of the game. Ankeny has a strong run game that they have leaned heavily on, struggling to find an answer when it gets shut down early, like in the Week 5 matchup against Johnston. Both sides should be looking to manage the clock and the momentum early and often. 

3. Position Battles

Another factor shaping the game will be some of the individual matchups between the two teams. Both teams have talented quarterbacks, this is seen in the air and on the ground. Valley’s senior quarterback, Drake Degroote, has garnered 1241 passing yards with 13 touchdowns, with Ankeny’s Kael Roush just behind with 949 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. Both have running capabilities, with Degroote amassing 353 yards and 4 touchdowns over 51 carries, with Roush following with 188 yards and 2 touchdowns over 33 carries. It’s not just who’s throwing but who they’re throwing to; both teams feature excellent wide receiver rooms. On the defensive side, both teams have been in tough battles and have experience in the pressure-filled final minutes, with Ankeny having a slight edge on Valley with a more aggressive approach. Ankeny has 9 interceptions, 4 forced fumbles, and 9 fumble recoveries, while Valley has 5 interceptions and no fumbles.  Valley has allowed 874 rushing yards this season, while Ankeny has only allowed 573.   Ankeny has allowed slightly more points this season, with 106; Valley has allowed 87. With skill all around, each individual matchup will be a spectacle of its own, potentially determining the outcome of the game. 

4. Post-Season Implications 

As a top-ranked matchup in the late weeks of the regular season, this game could greatly impact seedings and rankings. While each team isn’t likely to fall too far behind the other following a loss, the potential shift of 2 or 3 ranking places could be the difference between life and death in the postseason. Homefield advantage is a real thing, and hosting a postseason game allows a team to walk into the matchup on its own terms. 

Some things to remember going into the game, 

This is a top-ranked matchup, with a potential for huge postseason impacts. Two roughly similar teams will each take the field with the necessary mentality and physicality to get the job done. Battling from end zone to end zone and in the trenches in between, the offenses will look to score early and often. Defensively, Ankeny will seek to capitalize on its slight advantage and change the tone of the game. 

Key Players:

Top Players : 

QB : 

Ankeny – Kael Roush, SR – 96/157, 949 passing yards, 11 TDS, 3 INT

Valley – Drake DeGroote, SR – 88/131, 1241 passing yards, 13 TDs, 4 INT

WR :  

 Ankeny-  Andrew Brandhorst, SR – 28 REC, 310 YDS, 5 TDS

 Hayden Carlson, SR – 8 REC, 127 YDS, 2 TDS 

Valley –  Jayden McGregory, SR – 27 REC, 434 YDS, 7 TD 

Jayden Brown, SR – 24 REC, 354 YDS, 3 TDS

Rushing : 

Ankeny –

Daniel Larmie, SR – 176 carries for 1079 yards, 6.1 yards per carry, with 10 touchdowns

Kael Roush, SR – 33 carries for 188  yards, 5.7 yards per carry, with 2 touchdowns 

Valley –  

Blake Dorenkamp, JR – 106 carries for 573 yards, 5.4 yards per carry, with 7 touchdowns

Drake DeGroote, SR – 51 carries for 353 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, with 4 touchdowns

Defense: 

Ankeny –

 La’Marious Clark, SR – 4 INT, 1 TD, 2 F REC, 19 Tackles, 11 Solo

 Dawson Whitinger, JR –  1 INT, 1 TD, 3 FF, 1 F REC, 30 TOT Tackles, 16 Solo

 Nathan Becker, SR –  29.5 TOT, 14 Solo

 Logan Wirtz, JR – 19 TOT, 13 Solo

 Nathan Jenkins, SR – 33.5 TOT, 18 Solo

Joey Sandvig, SR – 26.5 TOT, 9 Solo

Valley – 

Hayden Demaray, SR – 26 TOT, 10 SOLO

Dustin Herzberg, SR – 24 TOT, 10 SOLO

Kash Kiner, SR -22.5 TOT, 12 SOLO

Miciah LeLaCheur, SR – 13 TOT, 8 SOLO, 1 INT, 1 TD