CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Results of the 2022 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Poll (as voted on by the league's head coaches):
| 2022 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Rank |
School (1st place votes) |
Points |
2021 Record |
| 1. |
Central (6) |
61 |
12-1 overall, 8-0 A-R-C (Conference Champions) |
| 2. |
Wartburg (3) |
57 |
7-3 overall, 6-2 A-R-C |
| 3. |
Coe |
51 |
8-2 overall, 6-2 A-R-C |
| 4. |
Dubuque |
45 |
6-4 overall, 5-3 A-R-C |
| 5. |
Buena Vista |
32 |
5-5 overall, 4-4 A-R-C |
| 6. |
Loras |
29 |
4-6 overall, 4-4 A-R-C |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan |
23 |
4-6 overall, 2-6 A-R-C |
| 8. |
Simpson |
18 |
1-9 overall, 1-7 A-R-C |
| 9. |
Luther |
8 |
0-10 overall, 0-8 A-R-C |
The Central College Dutch are the coaches' choice to win the 2022 American Rivers Conference Football title. The Dutch were last season's conference champions and were chosen first on six ballots (coaches do not vote on their own team) and earned 61 points to earn the No. 1 ranking. Wartburg garnered 57 points in the poll and received three first-place votes. Coe debuts at No. 3 in the coaches' poll, earning 51 points, and Dubuque picked up 45 points to put them at the No. 4 spot. The Beavers tallied 32 points to put them at the No. 5 spot and Loras picked up 29 points to earn sixth. Nebraska Wesleyan, Simpson, and Luther finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.
D3football.com Preseason Poll: Central is entering the season ranking No. 14 while Wartburg and Coe are receiving votes in D3football.com's Top 25 Preseason Poll.
New Coaches:
- Joe Troche, Luther College -- Troche comes to Luther from St. Olaf college where he was the recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator. Prior to his time at St. Olaf, Troche coached eight seasons at Hamline University with the final two years as defensive coordinator. In addition, Troche coached safeties, linebackers, and defensive line while at Hamline.
The Schedule: The 2022 season kicks off on Saturday, September 3 with eight of the nine members of the American Rivers Conference taking the field. Buena Vista hosts Gustavus and Central hosts St. Olaf, both out of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC). Coe will host Cornell out of the Midwest Conference and Dubuque travels to Marietta a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Loras will travel to Eau Claire to take on the Blugolds out of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and Luther will host Presentation out of the North Star Athletic Association. Nebraska Wesleyan is set to travel to Eureka out of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) and Wartburg will travel to take on Monmouth, a member of the Midwest Conference. Simpson will open their 2022 campaign on Saturday, September 10 when they travel to take on Waldorf.
The eight-game round robin conference schedule begins on Saturday, September 17 and wraps up on Saturday, November 12. League games on September 17 will feature Loras at Central, Dubuque at Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther at Wartburg, and Coe at Buena Vista. Simpson will open their conference slate on Saturday, September 24 when they travel to Coe.
The American Rivers Conference champion receives the leagues' automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
| 1st |
|
Central College
Head Coach: Jeff McMartin (19th season, 140-43 record)
2021 Record: 12-1 overall, 8-0 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: 1st
Returning All-Conference: Logan Sunvold (2021 First Team, K, Jr.), Jason Hopp (2019, 2021 Second Team, RB, Sr.), Que Baker-McCaulay (2021 Second Team, OL, Sr.), Ian Den Herder (2021 Second Team, OL Sr.), Cameron Bannister (2021 Second Team, DB, Sr.), Austin Burns (2021 Second Team, WR, Jr.), Brody Klein (2021 Honorable Mention, DB, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Lost: 7
Jeff McMartin - "This season looks to be extremely balanced and competitive within the American Rivers Conference. We have several positions to solidify due to graduation. However, that is what college football is all about. It will be an exciting year as we start a new chapter of Central football." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Jason Hopp - RB (Sr.) |
966 yds-rush // 5-rush TD // 292 yds-rec // 5-TD |
| Jeff Herbers - WR (Sr.) |
77 rec // 1,151 yds // 88.5 yds/game // 16-TD |
| Que Baker McCauley - OL (Sr.) |
570.1 yds/game // 175.6 yds-rush/game // 394.5 yds/pass/game |
| Ian Den Herder - OL (Sr.) |
570.1 yds/game // 175.6 yds-rush/game // 394.5 yds/pass/game |
| Reid Pakkebier - LB (So.) |
29 tackles (15 solo) // 3.5-TFL |
| Logan Sunvold - K (Jr.) |
10-12 FG // 83.3-FG% // 40yds-FG long // 82-85 PAT |
| Brody Klein - DB (Jr.) |
68 tackles (37 solo) // 2.5-TFL // 2-INT |
| Cameron Bannister - DB (Sr.) |
67 tackles (28 solo) // 1.0-TFL // 3-INT |
| 2nd |
|
Wartburg College
Head Coach: Chris Winter (2nd season, 7-3 record)
2021 Record: 7-3 overall, 6-2 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-Conference: Antonio Santiallan (2021, 2019 First Team, LB, 5th Year), Hunter Clasen (2021 First Team, RB, 2019 Honorable Mention, RS, Sr.), Owen Grover (2021 Second Team, LB, Sr.), Jordan Downing (2021 Second Team, DL, Sr.), Freddie Hosch (2021 Second Team, DL, 5th Year), Ben Bryant (2021 Honorable Mention, RB, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 8
Defensive Starters Lost: 3
Chris Winter - "Our team is excited for the opportunity to get back on the field this fall. Our goal for the 2022 season is to be in a position to compete for an American Rivers Conference football championship. We have 32 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) |
2021 Statistics |
| Antonio Santillan - LB (5th Year) |
81.0 tackles (40 solo) // 4.0-TFL // 1-INT // 5-pass breakups |
| Hunter Clasen - RB (Sr.) |
617 yds-rush // 6.6 yds-avg // 8-TD // 68.6 yds-rush/game // 160 yds/rec // 14.5 yds/catch // 1-TD |
| Owen Grover - LB (Sr.) |
53.0 tackles (30 solo) // 8.0-TFL // 4.5-sacks |
| Jordan Downing - DL (5th Year) |
40.0 tackles (18 solo) // 13.0-TFL // 8-sacks |
| Freddie Hosch - DL (5th Year) |
29.0 tackles (10 solo) // 4.5-TFL // 2.0-sacks |
| Ben Bryant - RB (Jr.) |
272 yds-rush // 7.4 yds-avg // 4-TD |
| Nile McLaughlin - QB (Sr.) |
331-pass yards // 146.0-effic. // 60-comp.% // 2-pass TD // 66.2 yds-pass/game |
| Sam Reyes - OL (5th Year) |
386.7 yds/game // 172.6 yds-rush/game // 214.1 yds-pass/game |
| Tucker Kinney - OL (Jr.) |
386.7 yds/game // 172.6 yds-rush/game // 214.1 yds-pass/game |
| Trent Roling - DB (5th Year) |
31.0 tackles (22 solo) // 4.0-TFL // 1-INT // 8-pass breakups |
| 3rd |
|
Coe College
Head Coach: Tyler Staker (7th season, 35-17)
2021 Record: 8-2 overall, 6-2 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: t-2nd
Returning All-Conference: Alex Aitchison (First Team, DL, Jr.), Dominic Shepardson (Second Team, WR, Sr.), Jay Oostendorp (Honorable Mention, LB, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 4
Defensive Starters Lost: 7
Tyler Staker - "I am excited for the start of the 2022 season and American Rivers Conference play. As always the competition in the conference will be tough and I am eager to see our team compete throughout the year. We will have some voids to fill on both sides of the ball, particularly upfront on our offensive and defensive line, but I have been happy with our growth and leadership during camp. I am proud of our players and coaches for the work and commitment they put in year round and I can't wait to get started." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Alex Aitchison - DL (Jr.) |
38 tackles (24 solo) // 13.5-TFL // 6.5-sacks // 1-INT |
| Dominic Shepardson - WR (Sr.) |
57 rec // 819 yds // 81.9 yds/game // 3-TD |
| Jay Oostendorp - LB (Jr.) |
63 tackles (37 solo) // 11.5-TFL // 5.5-sacks |
| 4th |
|
University of Dubuque
Head Coach: Stan Zweifel (14th season, 75-48)
2021 Record: 6-4 overall, 5-3 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: 4th
Returning All-Conference: Tyler Geiman (2021 First Team, DB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 3
Offensive Starters Lost: 8
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Stan Zweifel - "The Spartans will have a good number of new faces in 2022 but we are excited to put this team together. The A-R-C will be an exciting league with a number of teams being able to challenge for the league title!" |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Jack Connors - OL (Jr.) |
330.8 yds/game // 142.1 yds-rush/game // 188.7 yds-pass/game |
| Wesley Spitzmiller - OL (So.) |
330.8 yds/game // 142.1 yds-rush/game // 188.7 yds-pass/game |
| Kallion Buckner - RB (So.) |
660 yds-rushing // 66.0 yds-rush/game // 10-TD |
| Tyler Geiman - S (Sr.) |
59.0 tackles (39 solo) // 4.5-TFL // 1.0-sack // 8-INT // 8-pass breakups |
| Dalton Wood - S (Jr.) |
60.0 tackles (33 solo) // 0.5-TFL // 2-INT |
| Garrett Hertzfeldt - LB (Jr.) |
47.0 tackles (19 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 0.5-sacks |
| Brogan Stewart - LB (Jr.) |
41.0 tackles (19 solo) // 2.0-TFL |
| Jesse Darkwa - DL (So.) |
13.0 tackles (5 solo) // 1.5-TFL |
| 5th |
|
Buena Vista University
Head Coach: Grant Mollring (6th season, 12-28)
2021 Record: 5-5 overall, 4-4 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: t-5th
Returning All-Conference: Brady McConaty (2021 Second Team, LB, Gr.), Ramon Garcia (2021 Honorable Mention, K, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 5
Offensive Starters Lost: 6
Defensive Starters Returning: 5
Defensive Starters Lost: 6
Grant Mollring - "2022 will be a year where our young players over the past 2 seasons will need to step up. We lost a very good senior class that helped get us back on track as a program and now it's time for that to continue on with this year's team. Our non-conference schedule will be the toughest it has been in many years and we hope to come through with an idea of what to expect for our conference schedule." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Brady McConaty - LB (Gr.) |
68.0 tackles (37 solo) // 16.5-TFL // 7.5-sacks // 2-INT // 3-pass breakups |
| Brandon Lance - DB (So.) |
49.0 tackles (27 solo) // 3.0-TFL // 4-INT // 6-pass breakups |
| Noah Fuhrman - OL (Jr.) |
422.4 yds/game // 175.5 yds-rush/game // 246.9 yds-pass/game |
| Keaton Huebener - RB (Sr.) |
525 yds-rush // 58.3 yds-rush/game // 8 rush-TD // 1.9 yds-rec // 2 rec-TD |
| Jeremy Woodward - RB (So.) |
329 yds-rush // 32.9 yds-rush/game |
| Landon Weber - DL (Sr.) |
32.0 tackles (14 solo) // 5.5-TFL // 3.5-sacks // 2-pass breakups |
| Dylan Laughlin - WR (Gr.) |
15-rec // 227 yds-rec // 26.8 yds-rec/game // 2 rec-TD |
| 6th |
|
Loras College
Head Coach: Steve Helminiak (9th season, 27-45)
2021 Record: 4-6 overall, 4-4 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: t-5th
Returning All-Conference: Josh Kieffer (2021 Honorable Mention, LB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Steve Helminiak - "We will have a good balance of experienced upperclassmen and a talented group of newcomers. We are excited to get going this year to compete in the ever tough A-R-C." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Ty Bausch - RB (Sr.) |
542 yds-rush // 54.2 yds-rush/game // 2 rush-TD // 216 yds-rec // 21.6 yds-rec/game // 1 rec-TD |
| Marty McGovern - WR (Sr.) |
388 yds-rec // 13.4 yds-avg/catch // 3 TD |
| D'Mani Brown - WR (So.) |
374 yds-rec // 13.9 yds-avg/catch // 41.6 yds/game // 3-TD |
| Ben Baughman - OL (Sr.) |
384.7 yds/game // 150.5 yds-rush/game // 234.2 yds-pass/game |
| Shawn Corgelas - OL (Sr.) |
384.7 yds/game // 150.5 yds-rush/game // 234.2 yds-pass/game |
| Mitchell Huisenga - OL (Jr.) |
384.7 yds/game // 150.5 yds-rush/game // 234.2 yds-pass/game |
| Mason Morris - S (Sr.) |
48.0 tackles (26 solo) // 2.5-TFL // 1-sack // 1-INT |
| Josh Kieffer - LB (Sr.) |
384.7 yds/game // 150.5 yds-rush/game // 234.2 yds-pass/game |
| Joey Foley - CB (Sr.) |
35.0 tackles (23 solo) // 3.0-TFL // 1-sack // 2-INT // 6-pass breakups |
| Brett Bower - S (Sr.) |
49.0 tackles (25 solo) // 2.0-TFL // 1-INT // 4-pass breakups |
| Jace Gwynn - CB (Sr.) |
12.0 tackles (11 solo) // 2-INT |
| Scott Talmadge - K (So.) |
8-10 FG // 80.0-FG% // 44 yds-FG long |
| 7th |
|
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Head Coach: Brian Keller (27th season, 124-128)
2021 Record: 4-6 overall, 2-6 A-R-C
2021 Conference Finish: 7th
Returning All-Conference: Carter Terry (2021 2nd Team, QB, Sr.), Austin Neufeld (2021 2nd Team, PK, Sr.), Karrell Simpson (2021 HM, DB, Jr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 9
Defensive Starters Lost: 2
Brian Keller - "We are looking forward to another competitive season in one of the strongest D-III football conferences in the country." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Carter Terry - QB (Jr.) |
2,428-pass yards // 135.1-effic. // 55.0-comp% // 24 pass-TD |
| Tad Naiberk - OL (Sr.) |
317.1 yds/game // 61.4 yds-rush/game // 260.2 yds-pass/game |
| Isaac Dannehl - WR (Jr.) |
15-rec. // 130-yards // 8.7 yds/reception // 1-TD |
| Josh Romain - RB (So.) |
551 yds-rush // 55.1 yds-rush/game // 1 rush-TD // 138 yds-rec // 8.6 yds/reception |
| Caleb Kyes - LB (Sr.) |
24.0 tackles (8 solo) // 1.0-TFL |
| Zach Busmente - LB (Jr.) |
68.0 tackles (25 solo) // 0.5-TFL |
| Karrell Simpson - DB (Jr.) |
47.0 tackles (26 solo) // 1.5-TFL // 4-INT // 2-pass breakups |
| Austin Neufeld - PK (Sr.) |
6-6 FG // 100.0-FG% // 43 yds-FG long // 32-32 PAT |
| 8th |
|
Simpson College
Head Coach: Matt Jeter (7th season, 21-30)
2021 Record: 1-9 overall, 1-7 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: 8th
Returning All-Conference: Wyatt Schaben (2021 Honorable Mention, LB, Sr.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 7
Offensive Starters Lost: 4
Defensive Starters Returning: 7
Defensive Starters Lost: 4
Matt Jeter - "The Storm look forward to competing in the very challenging American Rivers Conference. The league brings back a ton of all-conference players from top to bottom and we look to make a statement in 2022." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Desmond Alexander - RB (Sr.) |
333 yds-rush // 2-rush TD // 12 rec // 7.2 yds/rec-avg |
| Spencer Finch - OL (Sr.) |
336.9 yds/game // 93.5 yds-rush/game // 243.4 yds-pass/game |
| Reed Worth - WR (Sr.) |
27 rec // 512 yds // 51.0 rec-yds/game // 6-rec TD |
| Wyatt Schaben - LB (Sr.) |
106 tackles (51 solo) // 11.5-TFL // 4-sacks |
| Joe Bream - OL (So.) |
336.9 yds/game // 93.5 yds-rush/game // 243.4 yds-pass/game |
| Cole Romdall - TE (Sr.) |
13 rec // 109 yds // 8.4 yds/rec-avg |
| Laronte Lewis - DL (So.) |
29 tackles (10 solo) // 7.5-TFL // 3-sacks |
| 9th |
|
Luther College
Head Coach: Joe Troche (1st season)
2021 Record: 0-10 overall, 0-8 Conference
2021 Conference Finish: 9th
Returning All-Conference: Levi Wolter (2021 Second Team, DL, Sr.), Vershon Brooks (2021 Honorable Mention, RB, So.)
Offensive Starters Returning: 6
Offensive Starters Lost: 5
Defensive Starters Returning: 3
Defensive Starters Lost: 8
Joe Troche - "It is a really exciting time at Luther College. Our players are motivated and want to show the A-R-C the work they have put in this off-season. We're excited as a staff to take on the A-R-C and see how we stack up." |
| Players to Watch: (Returners Only) |
2021 Statistics |
| Vershon Brooks - RB (So.) |
790 yds-rush // 5-rush TD // 79.0 rush-yds/game |
| Darby Johnson - OL (Sr.) |
259.5 yds/game // 133.7 yds-rush/game // 125.8 yds-pass/game |
| Andre Atkins - WR (Sr.) |
52 rec // 808 yds // 80.8 rush-yds/game // 5-rush TD |
| Levi Wolter - DL (Sr.) |
48 tackles (25 solo) // 18.0-TFL // 7-sacks |
| Grant Keim - DL (Sr.) |
12 tackles (8 solo) // 4.0-TFL // 1.5-sacks |
| Sam Bundy - DB (Sr.) |
71 tackles (43 solo) // 2-pass breakups |
| Brandon Deas - DB (Sr.) |
33 tackles (19 solo) // 3-INT |
