It wouldn't as long as the ball went through the uprights, he reminded himself. All Ankeny High needed was an extra point, and it would get the ball to start double overtime.

If that happened, Bauer knew they'd win the game.

And by winning the game, the Hawks would avenge their two 2019 losses to Dowling Catholic.

"Coming off the field, I thought it could end right here," Bauer said.

The extra point split the uprights, and, too, went the jitters. Bauer scored a 3-yard touchdown, his teammate and Iowa commit, Arland Bruce IV, intercepted a pass and the Hawks were off to the state championship game.

One weekend later, Bauer was throwing and running all over the field against Southeast Polk, and the Hawks were state champions. Bauer accounted for 259 yards and three touchdowns, showing out on the biggest stage to end a season he didn't think would get that far.

"I was like, ‘Well this probably won’t work, won’t last more than two or three games,’" Bauer said. "So obviously, playing early in the season, we were playing like it was going to be the last time we were gonna play together. We were truly blessed being able to take the whole season."

Soon after, he held the state championship trophy; he was also holding an offer to play Division I football at CMU. He jumped at the opportunity, and will battle in the fall to become the Chippewas' quarterback of the future.

An early impression

Bauer got his first taste of varsity football when he was a seventh grader.

Bauer, along with five of his best friends, took the field alongside the Hawks each Friday night in the fall. They'd prepare just like they were the ones playing in the game, out on the field warming up just the same as the players in the Hawks' red and gold colors.

"I just remember the first game I was nervous, almost like I was playing," Bauer said. "We were all taking it very seriously like we were preparing for a game."

One specific Friday night, Hawks' quarterback coach Adam Booth found out just how special Bauer could be when he reached the varsity level. Booth doesn't remember the specific opponent, but Bauer was out before the game throwing perfect passes to varsity receivers.

That's when Booth knew the program had something special -- even if he was just the ball boy at the time. Doubling as a middle school teacher, Booth also taught Bauer around that time.

"The kid was special then," Booth said. "He just worked so hard in everything he did."

Bauer noted that there was a certain level of hype associated with he and his friends based on the success they had at the younger levels. The group grew together, and through hard work, Bauer found himself starting in the season opener in his sophomore season.

But it wasn't at quarterback.

Bauer was the Hawks' starting safety for one game, then moved into the starting role behind center. He wouldn't let it go. He spent most of the year and all of his junior season at the helm, but playoff losses in both seasons ended Bauer and his buddies' state championship hopes.

They had one more chance -- and they almost never got it.

Getting a chance

Bauer's junior baseball season was affected by COVID-19. Throughout the spring, Bauer said many teams in their league were forced to end their season early due to issues with the pandemic.

"I thought there was no way possible we were gonna be able to play football this year," Bauer said.

With the pandemic wiping out much of the summer, Bauer lost an opportunity to shoot up recruiting boards and add stars next to his name.

Booth, who worked as closely with Bauer as anyone, believed that he would've undoubtedly risen and received high-major attention if given an opportunity.

"I think he's very undervalued," Booth said. "This summer was pretty weird with COVID. I mean, kids didn't really get the opportunity to go to any camps and didn't get the opportunity to throw. Usually, quarterbacks have to be seen by the coaches before they usually offer."

In addition to losing the chance to impress on the field over the summer, Bauer also lost the opportunity to perform on the track and impress with his speed.

As the football season drew closer, the Hawks began to prepare for the season. Bauer and his teammates were elated but skeptical at the thought of playing their final year together. They all wanted to go on one last ride --

But how long would it last?

While Bauer was hoping for an opportunity, his teammates were pouncing on theirs. In May, receiver Brody Brecht committed to Iowa, and Bruce would do the same later.

Bauer had a walk-on opportunity, and might've taken it if he had to wait much longer for a chance to play at the FBS level.

He remembers being the backup quarterback as a sophomore. Sure, he was excited for the starter, but he didn't stop working. He remembers receiving no FBS interest.

He appreciated the FCS interest, but he felt he could play at the highest level. The doubt surrounding him put a chip on his shoulder.

That's why he was elated when the Chippewas came calling.

After conversing with the coaching staff, as well as several members of the recruiting class, Bauer got a gut feeling about the school.

It was a feeling he was looking for. He signed on the first day of the early signing period.

"I was hoping that once I started talking to a school, I was just gonna know," Bauer said. "And CMU was that school. Right as I started talking with them, I just knew that it was the school I wanted to go to."

After unforgettable senior season culminating in state championship, Ankeny HS QB Jase Bauer jumps at opportunity to play for CMU

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