CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has released its 2025 football preseason coaches’ poll and the defending champion Wartburg College Knights have been selected as the preseason favorite. The Knights earned 61 points and five first-place votes in the poll, followed closely by Central College with 58 points and three first-place nods. Coe College claimed the third spot with 49 points and one first-place vote. 
 
The 2025 season officially begins on Thursday, September 4 when Coe battles Cornell on the road. The rest of the A-R-C will take to the field on Saturday, September 6. The conference slate begins on Saturday, September 20 and will run through Saturday, November 15. The NCAA Playoffs begin on Saturday, November 22 and the National Championship game will be contested on January 10, 2026 in Canton, Ohio. 
 

2025 American Rivers Conference Football Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Place	Team (First-place votes)	Points
1.	Wartburg (5)	61
2.	Central (3)	58
3.	Coe (1)	49
4.	Univ. of Dubuque	46
5.	Simpson	35
6.	Nebraska Wesleyan	27
7.	Loras	24
8.	Buena Vista	16
9.	Luther	8

 
Wartburg College enters 2025 after a 10-2 season and an unbeaten 8-0 A-R-C record that secured the league title. Head coach Chris Winter, now in his fifth season (43-7 record), returns six starters on both offense and defense, including All-Conference standouts Keenan Tyler, Dawson Rud, Mac Watts, Jake Walker, Jaxson Hoppes, and Austin Souhrada. With 17 NCAA playoff appearances in program history, the Knights are aiming to defend their crown behind a hungry and experienced core. The Knights are ranked preseason No. 9 by D3football.com. 
 
“Our team is excited for the opportunity to get back on the field this fall,” added Winter. “Our goal for the 2025 season is to be in a position to compete for an American Rivers Conference football championship. We have a hungry group ready to lead us through another difficult American Rivers Conference schedule, and we are looking forward to the challenge."
 
Central College finished 8-2 last fall, placing third in the conference. Under veteran head coach Jeff McMartin (163-50 in 22 seasons), the Dutch return Nick Bandy, Gavin Smith, Jase Grunder, Maximus Reitano, and Cole Clark as all-conference honorees from a season ago. Four starters return on offense and five on defense, giving Central a strong foundation as they chase their 23rd NCAA playoff berth.

“There will be a lot of new starters in the conference due to the graduation of a number of fifth-year seniors,” wrote McMartin. “Every week will be a challenge.”

Coe College is coming off a 9-2 campaign that included a 7-1 mark in league play and an NCAA playoff appearance. Head coach Tyler Staker (60-22 as he enters his 10th season) brings back key playmakers like all-conference honorees Luke Schumacher, Jeron Senters, and Braiden Damhoff. While the Kohawks will feature many new faces, their tradition of physical play and balanced attack will keep them in contention. The Kohawks are receiving votes in the preseason rankings put out by D3football.com. 

“I’m excited for the upcoming season and the opportunities that lie ahead for this group,” added Staker. “The Kohawks will feature many new faces on both sides of the ball, and our success will depend on how quickly our staff can prepare them to compete at a high level. The A-R-C will be strong from top to bottom once again, and we’re looking forward to another highly competitive fall."

University of Dubuque posted a 5-5 overall record in head coach Ryan Maiuri’s first season, finishing fourth in the league at 5-3. Six starters return on each side of the ball, highlighted by Alex Rashid, Blake Heffron, and Joey Rhomberg as returning all-conference competitors. With two challenging non-conference games to start the year, the Spartans look to build early momentum for conference play.

“We're thrilled to kick off another exciting football season and compete in the American Rivers Conference!” wrote Maiuri. “Our two challenging non-conference matchups will test us early and help prepare us for conference play. The tremendous growth our team has shown throughout the off-season has us energized and ready to take the field. We can't wait to see what this season brings!”

Simpson College matched UD with a 5-5 overall mark (4-4 A-R-C) in 2024. Head coach Reed Hoskins returns a veteran offensive line and standout linebacker CJ Hangartner, a two-time First-Team All-Conference selection. Noah Cracraft and Tanner Philpott return as all-conference honorees from the 2024 season as well. The Storm are optimistic that their blend of experienced returners and talented newcomers will position them for a strong showing as Hoskins enters year three leading the Storm. 

"Our team is excited for the upcoming season!” said Hoskins. “We have a great group of returners/newcomers and are looking forward to seeing all their hard work and dedication payoff this fall. The A-R-C schedule provides great competition every week and Storm Football will be ready for the challenge!”

Nebraska Wesleyan University went 3-7 (2-6 A-R-C) a year ago and returns a wealth of experience in 2025. Head coach Brian Keller enters his 30th season with nine offensive and seven defensive starters back, including all-conference honorees Owen Anthony, Hunter Hanke, Sam Contreras, and Jake Rhodes. The Prairie Wolves aim to translate veteran leadership into wins in the competitive league race.

"With the return of a number of veteran performers, Nebraska Wesleyan is looking forward to another highly competitive A-R-C season,” added Keller.

Loras College finished 2-8 (2-6 A-R-C) in 2024 under head coach Steve Helminiak. The Duhawks return several key players on both lines, including all-conference returners Justin Hayes and Cormaic Flynn. With a solid core of upperclassmen, Loras looks to climb the standings in a deep A-R-C.

"We are excited about the 2025 football season,” said Helminiak. “We expect the conference to be as strong as ever, with multiple teams in contention. With traditional powers and up-and-coming programs, every week is going to be extremely important in deciding the league title and play-off opportunities.”

Buena Vista University went 2-8 (2-6 A-R-C) last season under third-year head coach Austin Dickinson. The Beavers bring back seven offensive starters and eight on defense, including honorable mention defensive back Matthew Beisswenger. Building on experience, BVU is focused on competing each week in one of the nation’s toughest Division III conferences.

"We are excited for the 2025 season and to compete in one of the best conferences in all of Division III,” added Dickinson.

Luther College posted a 1-9 (0-8 A-R-C) mark last season and will rely on a veteran lineup in 2025. Head coach Joe Troche returns nine starters on offense and 10 on defense, anchored by second-team all-conference kicker Sean Medcalfe. The Norse look to turn their experience into progress as they battle through the league slate.

"Our team and staff are excited for the upcoming season!” wrote Troche. “We have a great group of returners and are looking forward to seeing all their hard work/dedication payoff this fall.”