CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The 2026 American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) football season is expected to be another exciting season in the league. The Wartburg College Knights are selected as the preseason favorite to claim the regular season title.
The football regular season kicks off in week five, October 3, and runs through week 11, November 14. The A-R-C will play stiff non-conference teams during the first weeks of the season.
2026 American Rivers Conference
Football Preseason Coaches' Poll |
| Place |
Team (first-place votes) |
Points |
| 1. |
Wartburg College (7) |
49 |
| 2. |
Coe College |
42 |
| 3. |
Central College |
38 |
| 4. |
University of Dubuque |
29 |
| 5. |
Simpson College |
27 |
| 6. |
Loras College |
20 |
| 7. |
Nebraska Wesleyan University |
10 |
| 8. |
Buena Vista University |
9 |
*coaches cannot vote for their own institution*
Buena Vista University:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 3-7 overall; 2-6 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 7th
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2018
Austin Dickinson enters his fourth season as the head coach at Buena Vista. He returns seven offensive starters and seven defensive starters. Anthony Courtney and Adriel Fussell return as all-conference performers from the 2025 season.
"We are excited to start another year in the A-R-C. It is a great conference that provides excellent football throughout the entire schedule. Our team looks forward to the 2026 season."
Central College:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 8-2 overall; 6-2 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 3rd
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2021
Jeff McMartin enters his 22nd season as the Dutch football coach. Central returns six offensive starters and three defensive starters. Cam Schulte and Jase Grunder return to the field this year as returning all-conference honorees to lead the Dutch.
"This will be an exciting year in the American Rivers Conference. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete.”
Coe College:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 9-3 overall; 7-1 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 2nd
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2025
Tyler Staker is entering his 11th season at the helm of the Coe football program. The Kohawks return six offensive starters and seven defensive starters, to return plenty of leadership to the field. Brady Kelly, Henry Ryan, Jack Clarahan, Braiden Damhoff, Quincy Drummer, CJ Johnson, Cameron Lavette, and Jeron Senters all return as all-conference honorees.
“I am really excited for the upcoming season and another great year competing in the A-R-C. I am proud of the work our players and coaches have put in, and I am excited to see how we come together and build as a team during fall camp. The conference will be very competitive this fall, with many great players and coaches returning. We know we will be challenged each week, but that is what makes competing in the A-R-C so special. We are looking forward to the opportunity and are excited to get started.”
University of Dubuque:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 4-6 overall; 4-4 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 5th
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2015
Ryan Maiuri enters his third season leading the locker room at UD. The Spartans return eight offensive starters and six defensive starters to the lineup this fall. Etwood Williams, Joey Rhomberg, Alex Sogavo, and Brady Buchmann return to the field this year after previously earning all-conference honors.
“Our team is excited to get back on the field this fall. We return an experienced core and have a talented group of newcomers ready to compete. The American Rivers Conference is one of the best in the country, and we look forward to embracing the challenge each week brings.”
Loras College:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 3-7 overall; 3-5 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 6th
Brandon Novak enters his first season at Loras, but is no stranger to success on the field. The Duhawks return ten offensive starters and nine defensive starters. Aiden Konig, Daniel Giusto, Henry Ivers, and Jackson Hutcheson all return this year after earning all-conference honors in 2025.
“It is an exciting time to be a part of Loras College! We are looking forward to seeing how our returners developed in the off season, and we are excited to introduce our new athletes to the program and the A-R-C! The 2026 season should be a splendid one. There has been plenty of excitement that has happened in the conference and in football over the past year,so it will be fun to see how everything plays out.”
Nebraska Wesleyan University:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 1-9 overall; 1-7 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 8th
Jacob Donohoe enters his first season leading the football team in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Prairie Wolves return eight offensive starters and four defensive starters. Back on the field after earning all-conference honors last season is Joey McLaughlin and Sam Contreras.
"I am excited to get the new chapter of Prairie Wolf football rolling. We have established a good foundation in our first spring, and I look forward to building on it this fall."
Simpson College:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 6-4 overall; 5-3 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 4th
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2003
Reed Hoskins is entering his third season as the head coach of Simpson football. The Storm return seven offensive starters and seven defensive starters. Noah Cracraft, Noah Noland, Nolan Pagel, Jayden Thoreson, and Demarico Young return this season after earning previous all-conference honors.
"Our team is excited for the upcoming season! We have a great group of returners/newcomers and are looking forward to seeing all their hard work and dedication pay off this fall. The A-R-C schedule provides great competition every week and Storm Football will be ready for the challenge!”
Wartburg College:
2026 Schedule | 2026 Roster
2025 Record: 10-1 overall; 8-0 A-R-C
2025 Conference Finish: 1st
Last NCAA Playoff Appearance: 2025
Chris Winter enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Knights and he has compiled a 53-8 record during his first five seasons. Wartburg returns eight offensive starters and six defensive starters. Jake Walker, Conner McDonald, Dawson Rud, Cole Hotz, Sam Heither, Dylan Swanstrom, Jason O’Boyce, Braden Plotz, Cole Mahnke, Tyler Gayer, Drew Streb, and Austin Souhrada return this year to the field as 2025 all-conference performers.
“Our team is excited for the opportunity to get back on the field this fall. Our goal for the 2026 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."
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About the American Rivers Conference
Nationally respected for excellence in NCAA Division III athletics, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has a tradition dating back to its founding in 1922 as the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Association and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its strong Iowa roots and growing regional footprint. The A-R-C is a collaborative community that champions the holistic development of student-athletes, uniting member institutions in a shared commitment to academic achievement, athletic distinction, and leadership.
The A-R-C is home to eight full-time member institutions: Buena Vista University, Central College, Coe College, University of Dubuque, Loras College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Simpson College, and Wartburg College.
