CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2019 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2019 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2018 Record |
| 1. |
Wartburg (7) |
63 |
8-3, 7-1 Conference (Conference Champion) |
| t-2. |
Central (2) |
53 |
8-2, 6-2 Conference |
| t-2. |
Dubuque (1) |
53 |
7-3, 6-2 Conference |
| 4. |
Simpson |
45 |
7-3, 6-2 Conference |
| 5. |
Coe |
36 |
6-4, 5-3 Conference |
| 6. |
Loras |
29 |
4-6, 3-5 Conference |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
18 |
3-7, 2-6 Conference |
| 8. |
Luther |
17 |
1-9, 1-7 Conference |
| 9. |
Buena Vista |
11 |
1-9, 0-8 Conference |
The Wartburg College Knights are the coaches' choice to win the 2019 American Rivers Conference Football title. Wartburg was chosen first on six ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 63 points to earn the No.1 ranking. A season ago the Knights claimed the conference title and earned a trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Central and Dubuque finished 2018 tied for second in the league standings and begin the season in the same fashion. Both schools garnered 53 points in the poll, however, Central received two first place votes the Spartans received one. Simpson, who also finished 2018 tied for second in the league standings, debuts at No.4 in the coaches' poll. The Storm tallied 45 points. Coming in at the No.5 spot was Coe, with 36 points. Loras picked up 29 points to earn sixth and Nebraska Wesleyan came in at No.7 with 18 points. Luther, totaling 17 points, finished in eighth place and Buena Vista came in ninth with 11 points.
D3football.com Preseason Poll: Wartburg and Central head into fall camp receiving votes in D3football.com's Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Knights picked up 61 votes while the Dutch earned 29.
New Coaches: No new coaches in 2019.
The Schedule: The 2019 season kicks off on Thursday, September 5 with Buena Vista University traveling to the MIAC's Hamline University (Minn.) in a non-conference match-up. On Saturday, September 7 the eight remaining American Rivers Conference squads take to the field for non-conference season openers. Central hosts Northwestern-St. Paul (Minn.), a member of the UMAC, and Nebraska Wesleyan hosts Westminster (Mo.), also out of the UMAC. Dubuque and Loras hit the road to face WIAC opponents in week one. The Spartans will square off with fourth-ranked UW-Whitewater (Wis.) and Loras opens with UW-Eau Claire (Wis.). Luther heads to the west coast to face the SCIAC's Whittier College (Calif.). Augustana College (Ill.), out of the CCIW, host Coe, and the MIAC's 10th-ranked Bethel University (Minn.) will host Simpson. Greenville University (Ill.), an associate member of the UMAC, hosts Wartburg.
The American Rivers Conference champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
| 1st |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Rick Willis (21st season, 175-44)
2018 Record: 8-3 overall, 7-1 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: JoJo McNair (First-Team, DB and Second-Team WR, Honorable Mention RS), Nic Vetter (First-Team, OL), Kolin Schulte (Second-Team, WR), Jason Fisher (Second-Team, DL), Cedric Dobbins (Second-Team, DB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Rick Willis - “We have a nice group of players with experience returning who we will rely on as others adapt to their expanded roles. We are excited about the challenge of competing for the championship of this competitive conference." |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| JoJo McNair - DB/WR (Jr.) |
47-rec // 692-yds // 9-TD // 23.0-tackles (18 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 2-INT |
| Jason Fisher - DL (Sr.) |
43.0-tackles (19 solo) // 12.0-TFL // 4.0-sacks |
| Cedric Dobbins - DB (Sr.) |
27.0-tackles (16 solo) // 3-INT |
| Nic Vetter - OL (Sr.) |
445.2-yds/game // 142.7yds-rush/game // 302.5yds-pass/game |
| John Patrick - OL (Sr.) |
445.2-yds/game // 142.7yds-rush/game // 302.5yds-pass/game |
| Kolin Schulte - WR (Sr.) |
51-rec // 1,091-yds // 21.4-yds/avg // 7-TD // 99.2-yds/game |
| Nick Wall - WR (Sr.) |
2018 - Did Not Play Due to Injury |
| Lee Bonifas - TE (Sr.) |
14-rec // 154-yds // 4-TD |
| t-2nd |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Jeff McMartin (16th season, 116-40 record)
2018 Record: 8-2 overall, 6-2 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-Conference: Blaine Hawkins (First-Team, QB), Jon Alberts (First-Team, K), Jordy Borman, (First-Team, DB), Cody Smith (Second-Team, OL), Lou Gomez (Honorable Mention, DB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Jeff McMartin - “We are excited about the 2019 season. Most of the teams in the A-R-C had a lot of underclassman starters last fall—everyone will be improved. It will be a battle each week.” |
| Players to Watch: *Retuners Only |
| Jon Alberts - K (Sr.) |
11-12-field goals // 91.7-FG% // 55yds-FG long // 49-50-PAT |
| Blaine Hawkins - QB (Jr.) |
2,144-pass yards // 157.4-effic. // 66.4-comp.% // 18-pass TD // 214.4yds-pass/game // 451yds-rush // 7-rush TD |
| Cody Smith - OL (Sr.) |
440.4-yds/game // 203.6yds-rush/game // 236.7yds-pass/game |
| Connor Lewin - LB (Sr.) |
50.5-tackles (33 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 3.5-sacks |
| Jordy Borman - DB (Sr.) |
35.5-tackles (23 solo) // 6-INT |
| Danny Anderson - DB (Sr.) |
22.5-tackles (17 solo) // 1.0-sacks |
| t-2nd |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Stan Zweifel (11th season, 61-41)
2018 Record: 7-3 overall, 6-2 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-Conference: Dwayne Allen (First-Team, RB), Blaze Barista (Second-Team, DB), Marshon Crowder (Second-Team, LB), Michael Lewis (Honorable Mention, OL), AJ Hunter (Honorable Mention, WR), Kody Riemer (Honorable Mention, WR), Andy Vujnovich (Honorable Mention, K/P)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Stan Zweifel - “The 2019 Football season shapes up in the A-R-C to be a very interesting year. Warburg is surely the favorite to be the conference champion. Coe, Simpson, and Central are teams that will also have a shot at the title. UD needs to play well early to be in the conference race at the end of the season.” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Dwayne Allen Jr., RB (Sr.) |
1,126yds-rush // 5.3yds-avg // 7-TDs // 115.6yds/game |
| Sean Duffy – QB (Jr.) |
2,076yds-pass // 146.5-effic. // 58.1-comp% // 26-TD // 207.6yds-avg/game |
| Kody Riemer – WR (Sr.) |
42-rec // 666yds-rec // 15.9yds/avg // 9-TD // 66.6yds/game |
| Michael Lewis – OL (Sr.) |
403.5-yds/game // 191.7yds-rush/game // 211.8yds-pass/game |
| Blaze Barista – DB (Sr.) |
47.5-tackles (37 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 1.0-sacks |
| Chad Marsh - LB (Sr.) |
49.5-tackles (28 solo) // 6.5-TFL // 1.5-sacks // 1-INT |
| Kyle Marsh – DL (Sr.) |
367.0yds-opp/game // 128.2yds-rush(opp)/game // 238.8yds-pass(opp)/game |
| Marshon Crowder – LB (Jr.) |
46.5-tackles (34 solo) // 12.5-TFL // 8.0-sacks // 1-INT |
| 4th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Matt Jeter (4th season, 15-15)
2018 Record: 7-3 overall, 6-2 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-Conference: Michael Connor (Defensive MVP, LB), Brendan Holmes (First-Team, DB), Trey Chumbley (Second-Team, DL), Joe Weppler(Second-Team, LB), Tanner krueger (Honorable Mention, QB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Matt Jeter - “The Storm are fired up for the 2019 season! We have experience on both sides of the ball, led by our defense! Fall camp will be very competitive as we look to answer questions on the offensive line and special teams. The Storm are looking forward to an exciting season in the highly competitive American Rivers Conference!" |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Michael Connor - LB (Sr.) |
83.0-tackles (53 solo) // 16.0-TFL // 8.5-sacks // 1-INT |
| Brendan Holmes - DB (Sr.) |
62.0-tackels (35 solo) // 4.5-TFL // 1.5-sacks // 5-INT |
| Trey Chumbley - DL (Sr.) |
33.0-tackles (16 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 3.5-sacks |
| Joe Weppler - LB (Sr.) |
40.5-tackles (20 solo) // 3.5-TFL // 1.0-sacks |
| Tanner Krueger - QB (Sr.) |
2,531yds-pass // 121.7-effic. // 52.5-comp% // 21-TD(pass) // 253.1yds-pass/game // 321yds-rush // 3-TD(rush) |
| Joe McNally - WR (Jr.) |
35-rec // 633-yds // 18.1-yds/avg // 5-TD // 63.3-yds/game |
| Sam Bartlett- WR (Sr.) |
24-rec // 371-yds // 15.5-yds/avg // 2-TD // 46.4-yds/game |
| Mason Spree - OL (Jr.) |
493.3-yds/game // 186.2yds-rush/game // 253.1yds-pass/game |
| 5th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Tyler Staker (4th season, 21-11)
2018 Record: 6-4 overall, 5-3 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 5th
Returning All-Conference: Matt Kopp (First-Team, TE), Logan Rickard (Second-Team, LB), Hunter Semelroth (Second-Team, DB), Tristan Connell (Second-Team, K), Keegan Leliefeld (Honorable Mention, OL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Tyler Staker - "I am excited to get the season started and to see our team compete this fall. The Kohawks will be a veteran group, with a lot of returning starters on both sides of the ball coming back. The conference will be very competitive as always, with several teams in position to win it.” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Matt Kopp - TE (Sr.) |
27-rec // 261-yds // 9.7yds/avg // 6-TD // 26.1yds/game |
| Hunter Semelroth - DB (Sr.) |
44.5-tackles (37 solo) // 1.0-TFL // 5-INT |
| Logan Rickard - LB (Sr.) |
42.5-tackles (28 solo) // 2.5-TFL // 2-INT |
| Brian Robertson - LB (Sr.) |
47.0-tackles (35 solo) // 8.0-TFL // 1.0-sacks // 1-INT |
| Tristan Connell - K (Jr.) |
7-9 field goals // 77.9-FG% // 41-FG/long |
| AJ Christensen - DB (So.) |
29.5-tackles (21 solo) // 1.0-TFL // 3-INT |
| Keegan Lelifeld - OL (Sr.) |
342.3-yds/game // 112.8yds-rush/game // 229.5yds-pass/game |
| Colton White - WR (Sr.) |
57-rec // 670-yds // 11.8yds/avg // 5-TD // 67.0yds/game |
| 6th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Steve Helminiak (6th season, 16-34)
2018 Record: 4-6 overall, 3-5 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 6th
Returning All-Conference: Chris Miller (First-Team, LB), Elijah Thomas (First-Team, RS), Noah Sigwarth (Honorable Mention, QB), Dalton Vislisel (Honorable Mention, OL)
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Steve Helminiak - “We are excited for the 2019 season and are anxious to continue to build and improve the Duhawk Football Program. We return many players that had quality snaps and experience from last season and are looking forward to competing in the always competitive American Rivers Conference.” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Sam Maloney - WR (Sr.) |
39-rec // 628-yds // 16.1-yds/avg // 6-TD // 69.8-yds/game |
| Mike McDevitt - WR (Jr.) |
25-rec // 295-yds // 11.8-yds/avg // 3-TD // 29.5-yds/game |
| Hunter Matye - TE (Jr.) |
3-rec // 21-yds |
| Jerry McDaniel - RB (Sr.) |
57-rush // 262-yds // 4.5-yds/avg // 23.3-yds/game |
| Riley Larson - DB (Sr.) |
32.0-tackles (26 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 1.0-sacks |
| Walker Even - LB (Jr.) |
47.0-tackles (32 solo) // 6.0-TFL // 2-INT |
| Jabari Turner-Smith - DL (SR.) |
13.5-tackles (11 solo) // 5.0-TFL // 1.0-sacks |
| Bryce Sinn - DL (Jr.) |
28.0-tackles (15 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 0.5-sacks |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brian Keller (24th season, 117-114)
2018 Record: 3-7 overall, 2-6 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Colton Davis (Second-Team, OL), Jonathan Curti (Second Team-QB), Jacob Garnas (Honorable Mention-LB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Lost: 7
Brian Keller - “It appears that the A-R-C will be as deep and competitive from top to bottom as it has been in years. Look to see some exceptional individual talent showcased by all of the programs. Nebraska Wesleyan looks to build on some late-season momentum and an influx of new talent to be a factor in the 2019 conference race” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Johnathan Curti - QB (Sr.) |
2,477-yds // 123.9-effic. // 54.1-comp% // 23-TD // 247.7-yds/game |
| Colton Davis - OL (Jr.) |
378.3-yds/game // 127.2yds-rush/game // 251.1yds-pass/game |
| Jacob Garnas - LB (Jr.) |
70.0-tackles (42 solo) // 3.5-TFL // 3.0-sacks // 1-INT |
| Derrick Curtis - WR (Sr.) |
32-rec // 434-yds // 13.6-yds/avg // 6-TD // 43.4-yds/game |
| Logan Hughes - TE (So.) |
5 games played // 1-rec // 7-yds // 1-TD |
| Hayden Penny - DL (Jr.) |
38.0-tackles (25 solo) // 5.0-TFL // 4.5-sacks |
| Ryan Lawrence - RB (So.) |
8 games played // 3-rush // 0-yds |
| 8th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Caleb Padilla (2nd season, 1-9)
2018 Record: 1-9 overall, 1-7 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: None returning
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Caleb Padilla - "I look forward to getting our players on campus to attack the 2019 season. The American Rivers Conference should be strong top to bottom and the Norse will look to make big strides in our 2nd year!” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Tre Jensen - TE (Sr.) |
12-rec // 68-yds |
| Andre Adkins - WR (So.) |
11-rec // 127-yds // 11.5-yds/avg // 1-TD |
| Preston Shultz - OL (So.) |
363.1yds/game // 213.9yds-rush/game // 149.2yds-pass/game |
| Ian Kuykendall - QB (Sr.) |
1,458yds-pass // 113.5-effic. // 9-TD-pass // 916yds-rush // 6-TD-rush |
| Chris Pinkney - DB (Jr.) |
18.5-tackles (11 solo) |
| Patrick Beatty - LB (Sr.) |
63.0-tackles (30 solo) // 6.0-TFL // 0.5-sacks |
| Jeremy Whalen - LB (Jr.) |
54.5-tackles (37 solo) // 6.0-TFL // 2-INT |
| Tyler Sefried - DL (Sr.) |
19.0-tackles (7 solo) // 4.5-TFL // 2.0-sacks |
| 9th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Grant Mollring (3rd season, 4-16)
2018 Record: 1-9 overall, 0-8 Conference
2018 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: Eric Pacheco (First-Team, WR), Gary Weaver (First-Team, DL) Reed Kruse (Honorable Mention, LB)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
Defensive Starters Lost: 2
Grant Mollring - “The American Rivers Conference is again very good top to bottom. Consistency from week to week will determine the eventual conference Champion. We will need to develop some depth and fill some crucial holes on offense for us to be competitive in a very difficult conference.” |
| Players to Watch: *Returners Only |
| Eric Pacheco -WR/KR (Jr.) |
58-rec // 1072-yards // 18.5yd-avg // 11-TD |
| Gary Weaver - DE (Sr.) |
41-tackles (29 solo) // 15.0-TFL // 5.5-sacks |
| Reed Kruse - LB (Jr.) |
74.5-tackles (50 solo) // 1-INT |
| Michael Herwig - DB (Jr.) |
25.5-tackles (22 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 2-INT |
| Morris Aranda - DB (Jr.) |
23-tackles (19 solo) |
| Bryland Menicucci - RB (So.) |
225-yards // 4.6yds-avg // 1-TD // 28.1yds-rush/game |
