SSI Football: 5A Game Preview! #5 Ankeny (4-0) @ #4 Sioux City East! Two Of Iowa's Best Lock Horns Friday Night!

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GAMEDAY: 9/25

KICKOFF: 7:00 PM

WHERE: OLSEN STADIUM

WEATHER: 61* WIND E/SE 10-15 MPH RAIN CHANCE 35%

The Ankeny Hawks of head coach Jeff Bauer are flying high with a 4-0 start to the season. The offense is led by senior QB Manson Machan 5-11 (190) has passed for (661) yards and (8) scores while completing 65.6% of his passes. The running game is led by senior RB Dawson Whitinger 6-2 (220) who has (125) yards and (4) touchdowns.

Junior RB Caleb Alhussaini 5-6 (155) has picked up (162) yards and is averaging (7.4) yards per carry. The two playmakers at WR for the Hawks is junior WR Jamello Cooper 5-8 (175) who has (15) catches for (191) yards and (2) touchdowns. The opposite WR is junior Quin Somers 6-2 (180) who has hauled in (14) receptions for (119) yards and (3) scores.

The defense that has racked up (44.5) TFL is led by D-1 LB prospect Rowan Doak 6-5 (215) who has (29.0) tackles and (11.0) TFL. Senior LB Hunter Minner 6-1 (240) has totaled (17.5) tackles and (4.0) TFL. Senior DT Ben Fairchild has been solid inside with (8.0) tackles and (5.5) TFL. The Hawks defense has only given up (37) points on the season allowing only (9.2) per contest.

The Black Raiders of head coach Mike Winklepleck have handled business to date and stand at (4-0) entering this contest. Junior QB Callan Koch has been impressive having thrown for (857) yards and (12) touchdowns. Senior RB Amos Collins has (155) russhing yards and (5) scores. The receiver room has played well. Junior Slot/Receiver Tanner Boonstra has (16) catches for (313) yards and (4) scores. Senior WR Chris Ford has (15) receptions for (316) yards and (4) scores. Junior WR Isaiah Grant returned to the field last week versus Sioux City West and will certainly have an impact in his return to the offense.

The Black Raider defense has performed well led by senior LB Kason Clayborne who has (26.5) tackles and (4.5) TFL the Minnesota Gopher commit is playing at a very high level right now. Senior CB Carter Modlin is a defensive leader in the secondary with (18.0) tackles. Junior DT Landan Monk is very active inside with (13.0) stops and (6.5) TFL. Cooper Fritz has added (14.0) tackles and cover corner Ford has (13.0) tackles on the season. Ford has taken back a kick return and punt return so far this season and is a dangerous return man.

SSI GAME PLAN: This is easily one of the top three games in the state this Friday night. This should be a real dogfight. This game could very well be dictated by defense as these are two very good units. The Hawks as mentioned above have only allowed (9.2) points per game and the Black Raiders have allowed only (5.0) points per game. Turnovers and hidden yardage in the return game could be the difference between a win or a loss.