CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2021 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2021 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2019 Record |
| 1. |
Central (8) |
64 |
10-2, 7-1 Conference (Co-Conference Champions) |
| 2. |
Wartburg (1) |
56 |
10-2, 7-1 Conference (Co-Conference Champions) |
| 3. |
Dubuque |
47 |
7-3, 6-2 Conference |
| 4. |
Coe |
43 |
6-4, 5-3 Conference |
| 5. |
Simpson |
36 |
5-5, 4-4 Conference |
| 6. |
Loras |
31 |
5-5, 4-4 Conference |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
19 |
3-7, 1-7 Conference |
| 8. |
Luther |
16 |
1-9, 1-7 Conference |
| 9. |
Buena Vista |
12 |
3-7, 1-7 Conference |
The Central College Dutch are the coaches' choice to win the 2021 American Rivers Conference Football title. Central was chosen first on eight ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 64 points to earn the No. 1 ranking. Two years ago, the last time conference football was played, the Dutch split the title with the Knights. Wartburg garnered 56 points in the poll and received one first-place vote. Dubuque debuts at No. 3 in the coaches' poll, earning 47 points, and Coe picked up 43 points to put them at the No. 4 spot. The Storm tallied 36 points to put them at the No. 5 spot and Loras picked up 31 points to earn sixth. Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther, and Buena Vista finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
D3football.com Preseason Poll: Central is entering the season ranked No. 14 while Wartburg is entering ranked No. 18 in D3football.com's Top 25 Preseason Poll.
New Coaches:
- Chris Winter, Wartburg -Winter previously held the role of defensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator at Wartburg before being promoted to head coach. Winter is a 2004 graduate of Wartburg College and has served as the head strength and conditioning coordinator since 2008. He was the defensive coordinator for the Knights since 2011, and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2013.
The Schedule: The 2021 season kicks off on Saturday, September 4 with all nine members of the American Rivers Conference taking the field. Buena Vista hosts Gustavus, a member of the MIAC, and Central travels to Northfield, Minn. to play St. Olaf, also out of the MIAC. Coe travels to Mount Vernon to take on Cornell out of the Midwest Conference and Wartburg hosts Monmouth, also out of the Midwest Conference. Nebraska Wesleyan is set to host Eureka out of the NACC and Loras is traveling to De Pere, Wis. to take on St. Norbert out of the NACC. Simpson head to the south to face the ASC's Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas). Dubuque will host Marietta (Ohio) out of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and Luther will travel to Eau Claire, Wis. to take on UW-Eau Claire.
The eight-game round robin- conference schedule begins on Saturday, September 18 and wraps up on Saturday, November 13. League games on September 18 will feature Buena Vista at Loras, Dubuque at Luther, Nebraska Wesleyan at Central, and Simpson at Coe. Wartburg will open their conference slate on Saturday, September 25 when they host Coe.
The American Rivers Conference champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
| 1st |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Jeff McMartin (18th season, 128-42 record)
2019 Record: 10-2 overall, 7-1 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-1st
Returning All-Conference: Blade Durbala (First-Team, DL, Sr.), Blaine Hawkins (First-Team, QB, Sr.), Erik Knaack (Second-Team, WR, Sr.), Brayden Egli (Second-Team, DB, Sr.), Joshua Mayhew (Second-Team, OL, Sr.), Jason Hopp, Second-Team, RB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Jeff McMartin - “We are excited to be playing football as a team this year. After not playing last fall, this will be an interesting season.” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Blade Durbala - DL (Sr.) |
55.0-tackles (23 solo) // 10.5-TFL // 3-sacks // |
| Blaine Hawkins - QB (Sr.) |
3,302-pass yards // 169.3-effic. // 66-comp.% // 44-pass TD // 275.2yds-pass/game // 522yds-rush // 9-rush TD |
| Erik Knaack - WR (Sr.) |
67-rec // 1,088-yds // 16.2-yds/avg // 14-TD // 90.7-yds/game |
| Brayden Egli - DB (Sr.) |
101.0-tackles (63 solo) // 4.0-TFL // 1-INT |
| Joshua Mayhew - OL (Sr.) |
475.3-yds/game // 188.0yds-rush/game // 287.3yds-pass/game |
| Jason Hopp - RB (Sr.) |
787yds-rush // 4.9yds-avg // 4-TD // 21-rec. // 240-yds // 11.4yds/avg // 2-TD |
| Cam Bannister - DB (Jr.) |
17-rec // 173-yds // 10.2-yds/avg // 2-TD // 322yds-rush // 4-rush TD |
| Tanner Schminke - WR (Sr.) |
48-rec // 632-yds // 13.2-yds/avg // 6-TD // 52.7-yds/game |
| 2nd |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Chris Winter (1st season)
2019 Record: 10-2, 7-1 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-1st
Returning All-Conference: JoJo McNair (First-Team, DB/WR, Sr.), Antonio Santillan (First-Team, LB, Sr.), Eli Barrett (Second-Team, DB, Sr.), Ethan Lape (Second-Team, OL, Sr.), Hunter Clasen (Honorable Mention, RS, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Chris Winter - “Our team is excited for the opportunity to get back on the field and compete this fall. It has been almost two years since we have lined up across from someone other than ourselves. Our goal for the 2021 season is to be in a position to compete for an American Rivers Conference football championship. We have 34 seniors who are ready to lead us through another difficult American Rivers Conference schedule, and we are looking forward to the challenge." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| JoJo McNair - DB (Sr.) |
28-rec // 340-yds // 4-TD // 40.0-tackles (26 solo) // 1.0-TFL // 3-INT |
| Eli Barrett - DB (Sr.) |
99.0-tackles (64 solo) // 4.5-TFL // 2-INT |
| Antonio Santillan - LB (Sr.) |
97.0-tackles (51 solo) // 2.5-TFL // 1-sack // 5-INT |
| Owen Grover - LB (Jr.) |
86.0-tackles (49 solo) // 8.5-TFL // 1-sack |
| Donaven Juarez - DL (Sr.) |
35.0-tackles (21 solo) // 7.0-TFL // 5.5-sacks |
| Ethan Lape - OL (Sr.) |
445.6-yds/game // 176.9yds-rush/game // 268.7yds-pass/game |
| Jace Moore - QB (Sr.) |
795-pass yards // 165.1-effic. // 67-comp.% // 9-pass TD // 88.3yds-pass/game // 87yds-rush // 2-rush TD |
| Bennett Goettsch - RB (Sr.) |
748yds-rush // 5.8yds-avg // 8-TD // 62.3yds/game |
| 3rd |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Stan Zweifel (12th season, 69-44)
2019 Record: 7-3 overall, 6-2 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: 3rd
Returning All-Conference: Marshon Crowder (Second Team, DB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Stan Zweifel - “We are excited to get back to league play in 2021! We hope to be a factor in the conference.” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Elliot Pipkin - WR (Sr.) |
30-rec. // 415yds-rec // 13.8yds-avg // 3-TD |
| Jacob Keller - QB (Sr.) |
no stats available |
| Adam Steingraber - LB (Sr.) |
37.0-tackles (15 solo) // 3.0-TFL // 1-INT |
| Karletty Faamatuainu - TE (Sr.) |
7-rec. // 66yds-rec // 9.4yds/avg |
| Trea Samifua - DL (Sr.) |
7.0-tackles (4 solo) |
| Anthony Love - DE (Sr.) |
25.0-tackles (11 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 2-sacks |
| Marshon Crowder - DB (Sr.) |
49.0-tackles (35 solo) // 6.5-TFL // 4.5-sacks |
| Tyler Geiman - DB (Sr.) |
no stats available |
| Javion Caldwell - OL (Sr.) |
384.4-yds/game // 157.0yds-rush/game // 227.1yds-pass/game |
| Jordan Labelle - WR (Sr.) |
35-rec. // 342yds-rec // 9.8yds-avg // 2-TD |
| 4th |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Tyler Staker (6th season, 27-16)
2019 Record: 6-4, 5-3 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: 4th
Returning All-Conference: Evan Ellis (First-Team, P, Sr.), Cam Elam (Second-Team, DL, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 10
Offensive Starters Lost: 1
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
Defensive Starters Lost: 2
Tyler Staker - "I am excited to be back on the field this fall competing in the always tough A-R-C. I am proud of how our players and coaches battled through this past year, and the work they put in to get better each day. I am looking forward to seeing that hard work and commitment pay off in big ways for the Kohawks!” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Cam Elam - DL (Sr.) |
28.0-tackles (10 solo) // 6.5-TFL // 2-sacks |
| Cedric Nah - DL (Sr.) |
38.0-tackles (14 solo) // 10.0-TFL // 3-sacks |
| Josh Bishop - WR (Sr.) |
10-rec. // 189yds-rec // 18.9yds/avg // 3-TD |
| Anthony Bullard - DB (Sr.) |
28.0-tackles (23 solo) |
| Dominic Shepardson - WR (Jr.) |
no stats available |
| 5th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Matt Jeter (5th season, 20-20)
2019 Record: 5-5 overall, 4-4 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-5th
Returning All-Conference: Mason Spree (First-Team, OL, Sr.), Jack Bootsmiller (Honorable Mention, DL, Sr.), Ben Schiltz (Honorable Mention, TE, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 3
Defensive Starters Lost: 8
Matt Jeter - “The Storm are fired up for the 2021 season! We are looking forward to opening up our non-conference campaign against two-time national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor, and then competing in the very competitive American Rivers Conference." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Reed Worth - WR (Jr.) |
26-rec. // 320yds-rec // 12.3yds/avg // 1-TD |
| Joe McNally - WR (Sr.) |
18-rec. // 242yds-rec // 13.4yds/avg // 2-TD // 60.5yds/game |
| Seth Howard - QB (Sr.) |
101yds-pass // 196.9-effic. // 57-comp.% // 1-TD |
| Mason Spree - OL (Sr.) |
428.5-yds/game // 145.7yds-rush/game // 282.8yds-pass/game |
| Jack Bootsmiller - DL (Sr.) |
16.0-tackles (5 solo) // 5.0-TFL 4-sacks |
| Carter Paterson - LB (Sr.) |
62.0-tackles (32 solo) // 8.0-TFL // 2-sacks |
| Terrhyn Jacoby - DB (Sr.) |
15.0-tackles (11 solo) // 2.5-TFL |
| Lanny Herzog - DB (Sr.) |
17.0-tackles (13 solo) // 1.0-TFL |
| 6th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Steve Helminiak (8th season, 23-39)
2019 Record: 5-5 overall, 4-4 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-5th
Returning All-Conference: Noah Sigwarth (Honorable Mention, QB, Sr.), Elijah Thomas (First-Team, RS, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 4
Offensive Starters Lost: 7
Defensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Lost: 7
Steve Helminiak - “It is exciting to be looking at a regular season again. While we got a taste of playing in the spring, it is certainly not the same as a full season with an opportunity to win a conference championship. The unknowns will be big to start the season with such a long absence of playing one another. I'm sure the league will be as competitive as ever with a lot of hunger to play, it's going to be exciting!” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Noah Sigwarth - QB (Sr.) |
1,916yds-pass // 47-comp.% // 8-TD // 191.6yds-avg/game // 609yds-rush // 4.1yds-avg // 60.9 yds/game // 10-TD-rush |
| Elijah Thomas - RB (Sr.) |
56yds-rush // 8.0yds-avg // 56.0yds/game |
| Ty Bausch - RB (Jr.) |
286yds-rush // 4.3yds-avg // 6-TD |
| Kabryn Cook - WR (Sr.) |
2-rec. // 79yds-rec. // 39.5yds/avg |
| Shawn Corgelas - OL (Jr.) |
380.9-yds/game // 185.5yds-rush/game // 195.4yds-pass/game |
| Jack Foley - DB (Sr.) |
26.0-tackles (20 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 4-INT |
| Zach Kemp - DB (Sr.) |
21.0-tackles (12 solo) // 2-INT |
| Josh Jones - LB (Sr.) |
29.0-tackles (12 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 1-sack // 1-INT |
| Brett McWilliams - LB (Sr.) |
31.0-tackles (20 solo) // 9.0-TFL // 4.5-sacks |
| Chance Halfhill -LB (Sr.) |
16.0-tackles (9 solo) // 1.5-TFL // 1-sack |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brian Keller (26th season, 120-121)
2019 Record: 3-7 overall, 1-7 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-8th
Returning All-Conference: Colton Davis (Second-Team, OL, Sr.), Jake Garnas (Honorable Mention, LB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 4
Offensive Starters Lost: 7
Defensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Lost: 7
Brian Keller - “We are excited to be playing football again and will have a nice blend of quality upperclassmen and talented newcomers.” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Colton Davis - OL (Sr.) |
358.8-yds/game // 63.6yds-rush/game // 295.2yds-pass/game |
| Alex Mathis - WR (Sr.) |
19-rec. // 333yds-rec. // 17.5yds/avg // 2-TD |
| Kevin Tims - WR (Sr.) |
39-rec. // 403yds-rec. // 10.3yds/avg // 5-TD // 57.6yds/game |
| Carter Terry - QB (Jr.) |
no stats available |
| Jake Garnas - LB (Sr.) |
107.0-tackles (39 solo) // 1.5-TFL // 2-INT |
| Kaden Dawe - LB (Sr.) |
101.0-tackles (51 solo) // 5.5-TFL // 2-sacks // 2-INT |
| 8th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Caleb Padilla (4th season, 2-18)
2019 Record: 1-9 overall, 1-7 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: t-8th
Returning All-Conference: none
Offensive Starters Returning: 8
Offensive Starters Lost: 3
Defensive Starters Returning: 6
Defensive Starters Lost: 5
Caleb Padilla - "Led by a strong group of 4th year players, we are excited to get back to A-R-C football this fall. With the long layoff, I expect it to be a competitive and unique year in the conference. Can't wait to get rolling again!” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| Mickey Lorento - QB (Sr.) |
728yds-pass // 139.8-effic. // 48-comp.% // 9-TD // 104.0yds-avg/game |
| Andre Adkins - WR (Sr.) |
28-rec. // 529yds-rec // 18.9yds/avg // 6-TD // 58.8yds-avg/game |
| Parker Kizer - RB (Sr.) |
663yds-rush // 5.1yds-avg // 8-TD // 66.3yds/game |
| Darby Johnson - OL (Jr.) |
354.4-yds/game // 227.9yds-rush/game // 126.5yds-pass/game |
| Levi Wolter - DL (Jr.) |
14.0-tackles (5 solo) // 3.5-TFL // 2-sacks |
| Jeremy Whalen - LB (Sr.) |
92.0-tackles (35 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 3-sacks |
| Chris Pinkney - DB (Sr.) |
47.0-tackles (23 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 2-INT |
| 9th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Grant Mollring (5th season, 7-23)
2019 Record: 3-7 overall, 1-7 Conference
2019 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Eric Pacheco (First-Team, WR, Sr.), Braden Ehn (Honorable Mention, OL, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
Defensive Starters Lost: 2
Grant Mollring - “2021 has the potential to be a stepping stone for our program. We have experience returning at key spots and our depth is much improved over previous seasons. Our players are excited to compete in the best D3 football conference in the country. I look for Central, Wartburg, and Dubuque to be in the running for the top of the conference. Simpson and Loras are both very talented and capable of making a run as well.” |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2019 Statistics |
| John Corcoran - OL (Sr.) |
384.2-yds/game // 122.2yds-rush/game // 262.0yds-pass/game |
| Colby Laughlin - WR (Sr.) |
28-rec. // 250yds-rec. // 8.9yds/avg // 2-TD |
| Mason Wickett - DL (Sr.) |
37.0-tackles (22 solo) // 9.5-TFL // 5-sacks // 1-INT |
| Nate Pedersen - LB (Sr.) |
30.0-tackles (16 solo) // 4.0-TFL // 1.5-sacks |
| Tanner Frost - LB (Sr.) |
81.0-tackles (38 solo) // 8.5-TFL // 4-sacks |
| Jalen Moore - DB (So.) |
49.0-tackles (33 solo) // 3-INT |
