FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Saturday's games:
Luther at Loras
Dubuque at Central
Nebraska Wesleyan at Wartburg
Buena Vista at Coe

Luther is the team stuck with the final bye week and turning in their gear early. After another conference loss at Loras this is the only team ready to call it quits. Too bad for the seniors. Thanks for hanging in there.

Dubuque is the last regular season team to beat Central. On that day Dubuque was the better prepared and better coached team, something I don't say often. The Dutch have done a fantastic job of keeping the focus. This week they are dialed in and ready for redemption. Dutch give the Spartans a game they weren't prepared for this time.

Nebraska Wesleyan seems to play well at times, but just can't get there. Wartburg will not be the exception. Knights win.

Buena Vista and Coe are a toss up for me. Coe is in the ratings and playing at home. BVU wants to get a statement win next week. Will they be caught looking ahead? I don't think so, but that doesn't mean they win either. My gut says BVU wins, my brain says Coe at home. My gut has been wrong a lot, so why not once more?  BV for the win.

[Outside the Crate]

Just to be clear:  Central is the only class-act football team in the ARC this year.  I wish them well in the playoffs.

If Central's amazing quarterback came down with something (injury or illness) and missed a game, I think I would feel justified in mentioning it.  It doesn't mean it's an excuse, but it might say something about the outcome.

But, pardon me for bringing it up. Obviously, I'm a fan of JoJo McNair.  I like the guy, too.

[Schipper Strong]

I get it, I just had to stick up for BV as their fans are missing in action. Jojo is a great player. Has he used up all his eligibility yet? I hope so. 

[Schipper Strong]

Congratulations Central on wrapping up the conference championship and a playoff berth! A little less exciting when they take away our quick strike offense, but the outcome doesn't change. Celebrate and savor the accomplishments tonight and then get ready for a trip to BV to finish another goal. Congratulations to Hawkins on going over 10,000 career yards passing last week, a little slow on that one. OTC, yes we will miss Hawkins and hopefully we don't have to face that until next year. Ketchum could not have a better mentor.

Coach Jeeter used his bye week to cheer on the Dutch. Welcome to the dark side. 

My gut came close with BV narrowly losing to Coe today. Wartburg did what Wartburg does, Luther did what Luther does. Best wishes to the Luther seniors hanging up their uniforms after today. Takes strength to compete when the odds are stacked against you. Respect to you.

[Outside the Crate]

Yah, JoJo is finished.  He's in conversations with a few European clubs and hopes to continue playing in that environment.  Gosh, I think he's good enough; he's so athletic.  Today was "Senior Day," and Wartburg introduced the seniors and their parents -- and there were 33 senior football players for whom this was their last home game.  That's a lot. 
     With the win today this is the 28th straight winning season for Wartburg football, which ranks third among colleges and universities in all divisions.  Linfield, with 64, and Mount Union, with 41, are the only teams ahead of Wartburg.  Oklahoma leads in D1 with 22 and NW Missouri State with 25 leads in D2.

[Schipper Strong]

Central recognized 28 seniors today, plus 6 that graduated last spring. 15 of the 28 were 5th year who came back on a mission. I think all of us expected 2020to be our year. The extra year made them even better than we expected. Fifteen players put their future on hold for the dreams of taking the next step or more in the playoffs. You have been focused and determined. Go Dutch.

[MediaGuy]

Yah, JoJo is finished.  He's in conversations with a few European clubs and hopes to continue playing in that environment.  Gosh, I think he's good enough; he's so athletic.  Today was "Senior Day," and Wartburg introduced the seniors and their parents -- and there were 33 senior football players for whom this was their last home game.  That's a lot. 
     With the win today this is the 28th straight winning season for Wartburg football, which ranks third among colleges and universities in all divisions.  Linfield, with 64, and Mount Union, with 41, are the only teams ahead of Wartburg.  Oklahoma leads in D1 with 22 and NW Missouri State with 25 leads in D2.

Expanding on that stat...the 33 Seniors just finished with a 22-1 record at Walston Hoover Stadium.  Even though the season didn't live up to expectations, these 33 players have set a new bar for future Knights to keep Walston Hoover one of the toughest places in the midwest to visit and come away with a win

[Schipper Strong]

Sure hope all is well with our friend Doolittle Dog. It isn't like him to have disappeared the week Central and UD met up.

[doolittledog]

Sure hope all is well with our friend Doolittle Dog. It isn't like him to have disappeared the week Central and UD met up.

I've been busy this week and will be again next week.  Anything happen this weekend I should be aware of?  Am I to presume that UD lost in Pella yesterday? 

[Schipper Strong]

Sure hope all is well with our friend Doolittle Dog. It isn't like him to have disappeared the week Central and UD met up.

I've been busy this week and will be again next week.  Anything happen this weekend I should be aware of?  Am I to presume that UD lost in Pella yesterday?   

Glad to hear you are okay DD. It just isn't like you to go silent. It was business as usual in Pella yesterday. Well not quite, there were 4 penalties against the Dutch defense on one UD drive. The Dutch fans were mighty stirred up. I think I even heard Dutch fans saying "crap" and "shoot!"   

[doolittledog]

Central seems to be a team that has all the pieces to make a deep playoff run.  Which as an ARC fan, would be fun to see.

[Schipper Strong]

I keep forgetting the changes from NSEW regions. I am just so used to thinking West Region. I think that means Central will come across North Central and/or Wheaton sooner rather than later. Central is a much better team this year than they were two years ago when they got beat badly by Wheaton. Still those are two tough teams that are putting up lopsided wins on a regular basis. I think this Central team can play with anyone and make that deep run. I wish the starters had been needed beyond the first half more often. They are not used to playing a full game. Hopefully their off season work and weight lifting has them ready. I am sure that thought played into keeping the starters in longer on Saturday in spite of the score.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I think the Central starters have been in too long in some games.  I want to see the team at full strength in the play-offs.  I never want to see anyone get hurt especially not a starter in a game that is already decided. 

[Fannosaurus Rex]

And for that matter, might as well give the second string as much work as they can get.  They are just a positive covid test away from being starters.

[Schipper Strong]

I think the Central starters have been in too long in some games.  I want to see the team at full strength in the play-offs.  I never want to see anyone get hurt especially not a starter in a game that is already decided.

Very valid points. I have thought that too in many games.