Ankeny's Joel Lanning Named Player of the Year by Des Moines Register

Ankeny Hawks quarterback Joel Lanning has been named the Des Moines Register Class 4-A Western Iowa football player of the year.

A record-setting season led to the honor, according to the Des Moines Register article announcing the news. Lanning, who helped lead the Hawks to a 14-0 record and Ankeny's second state championship, shares the honor with Urbandale's Allen Lazard.

Lanning passed for a school-record 2,310 yards this season, the Register said. The Iowa State recruit also rushed for 1,069 yards, becoming the first quarterback under Ankeny coach Jerry Pezzetti to surpass the 1,000-yard mark.

The Ankeny Hawks closed out their final season as a unified team last Friday, bringing home an Iowa Class 4A state championship.

The Hawks defeated Cedar Rapids Xavier, 23-17, in an exciting and, at times, nail-biting showdown at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. This is the Hawks' first state championship since 1997.

Lanning has committed to play for the Iowa State Cyclones next year under head coach and Ankeny alum Paul Rhoads.