Central Secures Conference-Record 32nd Football Title and A-R-C AQ Bid to Division III Playoffs

11/6/2021 6:22:49 PM

PELLA, Iowa -- The Central College Football team (9-0 overall, 7-0 A-R-C) secured a conference-record 32nd football title today, bringing with it the American Rivers Conference automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Football Playoffs. This year’s postseason appearance will mark the 22nd time in program history, another conference record.

On Senior day in Pella, the Dutch defeated the University of Dubuque (5-4, 4-3 A-R-C) 56-7.  The Dutch jumped out to an early first-quarter lead, scoring on a 4-yard Jason Hopp touchdown run with 4:26 to go, and answering again with 2:42 on the clock, by way of a Blaine Hawkins 21-yard scamper. Central put up two additional unanswered touchdowns in the second quarter before the Spartans got on the board. Both came on passes from Hawkins, one a 14-yarder to Tanner Schminke and the other a 1-yard dish to Ryan Neu. Neu’s TD reception was setup by a Cameron Bannister interception at the Central 35-yardline.
 
With Central leading 28-0, UD found the endzone for their lone score of the game on a 1-yard rush by Jacob Keller. Central’s scoring wasn’t over yet, as they found paydirt three more times, holding a comfortable 42-7 lead at halftime. Their fifth TD of the game was a Hawkins pass to Erik Knaack from five yards out with 3:54 to go in the second quarter. The ensuing kickoff was muffed by UD and recovered by Central, setting up TD number six, a 22-yard strike from Hawkins to Schminke.
 
Hawkins added another score for the Dutch in the third quarter when he connected with Grant Nelson from 2-yards out. The fourth quarter saw Hawkins connect with Knaack for the duo’s second TD on the day, and what would be the game’s final score, 56-7.
 
The Dutch defense was led by Brayden Egli, who recorded 7 tackles. Bannister added six tackles and two interceptions, followed by a quartet of players recording five tackles. Hunter Maddy and Matt Glockel each tallied one sack for the Dutch, while Glockel tacked on two tackles for loss.
 
Hawkins and Hopp each surpassed 100-yards on the ground for Central. Hopp finished with 140 on 22 carries for an average of 6.2 yards per carry. Hawkins touted the ball nine times for 101-yards, good for an 11.2 -yard average. Through the air, Hawkins was 34-of-40 for 283 yards and six touchdowns. Three receivers went over 70-yards for the Dutch, Schminke (9-for-79-yards), Hopp (9-for-79-yards), and Knaack (10-for-73-yards),

Jeff McMartin, in his 18th season at the helm of Central football, will look to lead the program to their 17th undefeated regular season in program history as they travel to Buena Vista University Saturday, November 13 for the final A-R-C contest.

The Dutch learn their first-round NCAA Division III playoff opponent and location Sunday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. (ET), when the 32-team bracket is announced live on NCAA.com.  

In their last playoff appearance, 2019, Central picked up a thrilling 38-37 overtime victory over UW-Oshkosh before bowing out against Wheaton in the second round.
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