About the only thing lacking from Central College's 65-12 football rout of Maranatha Baptist (Wis.) was suspense.
But a school-record 37-point first quarter—including two TDs in 5 seconds--quickly took the mystery out of the outcome. Less than 2 minutes into the game, the Dutch (2-1) had a 9-0 lead and had only run one play from scrimmage. The reserves were already on the field by the time Central stretched the advantage to 44-0 with 12:58 still left in the first half.
Maranatha Baptist had just 34 players in uniform so a lopsided score was somewhat unavoidable, but coach Jeff McMartin said his team's attention was on its own performance.
"Our biggest thing was being focused, executing and controlling what we can control," McMartin said. "That's what we worked on all week, getting better, doing our job and being focused at it. I thought our guys did a good job of that."
Central outgained the Sabercats 512 yards to 135 and rolled up 212 yards in the first quarter. Running back Josh Osborn (senior, Burlington) surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark for the third time this year and the fourth straight game overall. He sprinted 62 yards for a score on Central's first play from scrimmage and ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries, then took a seat on the bench before the first period expired.
Central's 37 first-quarter points topped the previous school mark of 36, set against Dubuque in 1996. Saturday's 51-0 lead at intermission was five short of the record for one half, also set against Dubuque. And the final 53-point margin was Central's biggest since a 70-7 romp against Loras in 2011.
The Dutch also set a school mark by scoring two touchdowns in a 5-second span. Osborn found the end zone on a 19-yard run with 2:49 left in the first quarter. The subsequent Kevin Sheldon (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) kickoff was a touchback and only 5 seconds elapsed on the next play, a 24-yard pick-six interception return by linebacker Nick Henry (senior, Solon).
Osborn was among 12 Central ball carriers as the Dutch used more than 100 players. Perhaps the most welcomed appearance was by senior quarterback Aaron Eiseler (Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS) who was back on the field for the first time since suffering an injury in the first quarter of the season opener at Benedictine (Ill.) Sept. 6. His return date had been uncertain.
Eiseler completed five of six passes for 69 yards and one touchdown.
"It was good to get Aaron back on the field and get him going again," McMartin said. "We want to have him 100 percent for Wartburg (Central's next game, Oct. 4) and this was a good start for that."
But McMartin was most happy about being able to let so many Central players experience varsity action.
"I thought it was great for everybody to get a chance to play," he said. "It's rare that you have these kind of games. We haven't had very many of these opportunities over the years. In fact, we talked to our freshman quarterbacks about enjoying the opportunity to be on the field. Noah Stochl (sophomore, New Hampton) (Central's starting quarterback in Eiseler's absence), for example, didn't play in one varsity game last year. So it's nice for these young guys at all positions to get in a varsity game and get their feet wet."
Seven players saw action at quarterback, combining to complete 15-of-20 for 186 passing yards with no interceptions. Tight end Jack Norgaard (senior, Napeverille, Ill., Neuqua Valley HS) was among 12 players with a pass reception, getting three catches for 47 yards and a score. The Dutch also racked up 326 yards on the ground, with seven rushing touchdowns. Schyler Bardole (senior, Rippey, East Greene HS) followed Osborn with 49 yards on seven carries and promising freshman Kane Carstens (Rochester, Minn., Lourdes HS) had 48 yards on just three attempts.
Another new face, linebacker Carson Remick (freshman, Hillsboro, Mount Pleasant HS), topped the tackle chart with nine. Linebacker Gideon Kluge (senior, North English, English Valleys HS) had four stops, including 2.5 for loss. Henry and defensive back Sam Schmitz (sophomore, Missouri Valley) each had an interception.
Several of the young players caught McMartin's eye.
"I liked how they flew around," he said. "It's just good for some of these guys to get reps. Whether each play ends up the way you want it or not, they're getting better and I did see some good things."
But McMartin also saluted Maranatha Baptist. With few reserves on a warm afternoon, the Sabercats (0-3) maintained their intensity throughout.
"They played hard," McMartin said. "They couldn't ask any more of their players than they got today, under the circumstances."
Central has its only off weekend of the season up next, then opens Iowa Conference play with an Oct. 4 homecoming contest with nationally ranked Wartburg College.