Saluting its 21 seniors, the Central College football team makes its final home appearance of the season Saturday with an American Rivers game against Buena Vista University.
Game time is 1 p.m. at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
Central (6-2 overall, 4-2 American Rivers) saw its conference title hopes end with a 24-14 setback at No. 3-ranked Wartburg College Saturday. Buena Vista suffered a 49-21 home-field defeat against Loras College, dropping to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
"We spent a lot of time talking about how that game went and looking at the film to see what we can do better," coach Jeff McMartin said. "But we also want to put that game behind us now, move forward and be in the present. That gives us our best chance to be successful. The past is the past and we want to finish strong."
Senior send-off—Central lists 11 seniors among its probable starters for Saturday, including three fifth-year players. During their careers they've helped the Dutch post a 27-6 record (the fifth-year players are 37-8).
"What's made this class really special is they haven't taken anything for granted," McMartin said. "They've appreciated every opportunity they've gotten from when they were freshmen, all the way through. These guys went through the COVID year and they had to really commit and stay committed. It was a challenge. I give them a lot of credit for that.
"Fast forward to now as seniors, whatever's been asked of them, they've done. There's just no drama with these seniors. They work hard, they give you everything they have and they want to be successful."
McMartin singled out the players who elected to return for a fifth season after having the global pandemic limit Central to a two-game spring slate in 2020-21.
"They have really embraced the role of being a leader and working with the younger players," he said. "The things that other people don't get to see is what happens in practice, what happens in the weight room, things that are said and done. These guys not only set a great example, they've also tried to train the younger guys on technique, or how to look at certain situations and they've done an awesome job of that. They've put their lives on hold a little bit but they've gotten something back, that year of football that they lost. To still be able to get four years on the field in college, I think is a great thing."
The series—Central ran up a 52-27 win over Buena Vista at Storm Lake last year and hold a 62-13 advantage in the teams' series. The Dutch are 24-3 in games played at Pella. Buena Vista last defeated Central in 2017 at Storm Lake.
The Beavers—Quarterback Zach Herrera has completed 74 of 139 passes (.532) for 871 yards and four touchdowns with six interceptions. Do-it-all running back Eman Alaniz is averaging 32.6 yards rushing a game with five touchdowns, is also the team's top receiver with 35 catches for 497 yards and five scores while returning kicks as well. He's returned 27 kickoffs for an average of 17.9 yards and three punts for 15.0 yards each.
It's a new look under first-year coach Austin Dickinson.
"They've changed quite a bit," McMartin said. "They changed their defensive scheme and some of what they don offensively. We can't look at them from last year and see a lot of similarities."
But the Dutch do have some familiarity on defense. Dickinson was the defensive coordinator last year for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, which fell to Central 31-13 Sept. 10.
"They're predominantly a four-man front team but they'll give you some different looks," McMartin said. "They'll move their linebackers around and do some different things with coverages."
Trey Ortman has a team-high 49 tackles, including 39 solos with an interception, a fumble recovery and three pass breakups. Dylan Berens has 4.0 tackles for loss, including 3.0 sacks.
The Beavers are getting outgained 471.5 yards to 199.9 per game and outscored 42.3-12.0.
On the air and online—The Voice of the Dutch, Trevor Castle, calls Saturday's action on KRLS-FM (92.1), with NFCA Hall of Fame softball coach George Wares providing the color. The KRLS pregame show will air at 12:35 p.m. The broadcast can be accessed through www.kniakrls.com or directly at rdo.to/krls. It's also accessible via mobile device with the KRLS app available through iTunes and other outlets. And it can be heard as part of the video webcast through the Central athletics website at athletics.central.edu, which also provides access to live stats, or via the Central Dutch Network at centraldutchnetwork.com.
Stepping up—Even in a losing cause, McMartin saw plenty of Central players step up in a pivotal game Saturday at Waverly.
"We got a lot of really sound performances from a number of guys," McMartin said. "(Receivers) Ryan Neu (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS), Jeff Herbers (5th-year, Urbandale, Des Moines Christian HS) and Logan Mont (senior, Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) all were really effective catching the football. (Quarterback/receiver) Keegan Glover (sophomore, Benton, Ill.) up until his injury was playing really well. And I think (quarterback) Hunter Hoffman (sophomore, Pecatonica, Ill.) executed the offense and the strategy we had for that game and made some good decisions, not just in passing but in protections and setting our formations.
"(Defensive lineman) Hunter Olson (5th-year, Peoria, Ariz., Sunrise Mountain HS) played really well up front again and had a nice game and (defensive lineman) Tate Hagen (senior, Britt, West Hancock HS) has been rock solid all year for us."
Why we play—At Central the annual goal is championships and while that goal eluded the Dutch this fall, McMartin said his players need to savor the opportunity to play the game they love over these next two weeks.
"I told the team last night that I like everything about my job," he said. "There's nothing that I don't enjoy, the recruiting, just working with people, some of the administrative things. But the chance to coach football practice, to be on the field every day, that's what I love and that's how our players feel, so getting a chance to practice, to play, we want to take advantage of that."
Legacy Day—Saturday is the third Central Football Legacy Day as Dutch football alumni are invited for a family-friendly day. Families can play catch on the Schipper Stadium turf at 10 a.m. with lunch in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse at 11:15 a.m. as well as a postgame reception in the Pacha Family Lobby in P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium.
For more information, use the events tab on the Central alumni website at https://central.edu/alumni/.
Dutch numbers--Central is averaging 139.9 yards rushing and 264.6 yards passing. The Dutch are outgaining opponents 404.5 yards to 336.0 and outscoring them 37.8-15.7. Hoffman has completed 152 of 239 passes (.635) for 1,485 yards with five interceptions and 21 touchdowns. Glover remains the top rusher with 275 yards on 66 carries with two TDs. Central's veteran receiving trio of Neu, Herbers and Mont each have 37 catches. Neu has gained 450 yards with 11 touchdowns. Linebacker Reid Pakkebier (junior, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) has 60 tackles, including 30 unassisted with 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks. Cornerback Gavin Smith (sophomore, Audubon) has nine pass breakups. Defensive end Bradley Warren (sophomore, The Woodlands, Texas) has 5.0 sacks. Linebacker Brody Klein (senior, Rainier, Wash.) has 7.0 tackles for loss.
NCAA numbers—Central is 14th in Division III in blocked kicks with five in eight games. Meanwhile, Central is sixth in Division III in defensive touchdowns (4), third in fewest fumbles lost (1), ninth in interceptions (14) and 13th in turnovers gained (21). Individually, kicker Logan Sunvold (senior, Monroe, Southeast Polk HS) is 17th in field goals per game (1.1), Smith is 12th in passes defended (1.6) and Neu is 12th in receiving touchdowns (11) and 18th in total touchdowns (13).
Notes— Neu has caught at least one touchdown pass in his last 10 games. He's had two TD catches in three of his last four outings. His nine receptions and 92 receiving yards Saturday at Wartburg were team season highs…Mont has had at least five catches in every game this season… Austin Burns (senior, Williamsburg) punted six times Saturday but none were returned. Four landed inside the Wartburg 20-yard line. An opponent has yet to return a punt against the Dutch this year. Central and Aurora University (Ill.) are the only Division III teams that have yet to allow a punt return. Yet Central is only tied for fourth in Division III in punt return defense as three teams have held opponents to negative yardage. Tufts University (Mass.) has allowed two punts to be returned for a net of minus 1 yard. …The 24 points surrendered at Wartburg matches the 24 St. Olaf College (Minn.) put up in the season opener Sept. 2 for the most allowed by the Dutch this season… Hoffman has thrown for 18 touchdowns in the last five games.