FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Thought a bit about Doolittle's comment about Central beating up on the lower half and upper half of the conference today. He is right. I went back and compared results from 2019 to 2021 game results. I looked at conference games only as we played different non conference teams. Central beat every team in the conference by a higher margin than 2019. Loras and Nebraska Wesleyan were the most consistent with Central winning by 15 more against Loras and 16 more points against NWU. Wartburg and Coe seem to be the other two teams fighting it out for first place and we beat both of those teams by 24 more points than in 2019. Against Luther the margin increased by 32 points, BV by 42 points and Simpson the increased winning margin was 51 points. UD was the only conference team to beat us in 2019. The Dutch were ready to extract payback this year by turning a 21 point loss into a 49 point win for a swing of 70 points. Many of the same players, totally different team!

I would imagine with the way this team has come together this season, if the Dutch can get past Bethel, these results will bode well for their confidence if they got a shot at revenge against Wheaton in Round 2.

I am sure that is true. 15 seniors came back for a 5th year because they were not happy with the outcome of that Wheaton game. They are dialed in and focused on getting better each week. Wheaton was amazing two years ago. I don't see any signs that they still aren't. But this team wants to prove something. I am blessed to watch them do it.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I predict that the winner of the Central v Bethel game tomorrow will be the first team to block a punt.

[Schipper Strong]

Going with Pat's prediction for the game with Bethel tomorrow. It matches closest to what I see happening. I can't see it being a low scoring game as I think Keith predicted. Excited to see this Dutch team back in the playoffs and wanting to prove the Dutch have what it takes. Go Dutch!

[Schipper Strong]

Not counting the two games in the spring as a season, last Saturday's regular season ending marked 50 years of watching Central College football starting at age 10. You have been a consistently good 50 years of fall joy. You make me feel young again. Now go out there and kick some Royal arse.

[DuffMan]

I heard that Roste is at 115%.  Central is in trouble. 

[Schipper Strong]

Central up 27-21 at the half. Hopp injured on last play of half. Cue up Walk for some long runs.

[Schipper Strong]

I heard that Roste is at 115%.  Central is in trouble. 

That was 115%

Dutch 61 Bethel 35!

[Schipper Strong]

Congratulations to the Dutch on a fantastic game. The team was dialed in and focused. Offense did what the offense does. Defense played outstanding today. Special teams stepped up big time. Thank you Bethel for giving us a good game. Roste is a stud QB, so glad to do this with him healthy and playing well. Nice to prove the starters can go 4 qtrs.

Fun call by the coaches today. Give a game ball to projected all American defensive lineman Blade Durbala. He is awesome on defense. Fun as heck seeing him carry the ball on 4th down for the needed yardage, then later scoring the last TD. I love a fun surprise!

Bring on Wheaton. This is the chance for redemption. Go Dutch!

[hazzben]

Congrats Central, very complete team!

[Schipper Strong]

Yes it is a complete team and a very good representative of a not as down as you thought ARC. It was fun to see how Central play against a winning team. Turns out pretty well.

[hazzben]

Yes it is a complete team and a very good representative of a not as down as you thought ARC. It was fun to see how Central play against a winning team. Turns out pretty well.

I'd actually argue Central is an outlier at the top of the ARC this year. Typically the 2nd and 3rd place teams are a bit closer to the top team and hold serve better out of conference. Wartburg seemed a step back from their usual standard. We will see next week and potentially the following how the top of the ARC stacks up. If they survive that gauntlet, then we can definitively say Central and the ARC took a big step forward.

I think this Wheaton vs Central game is a great matchup. Both are very COVID Sr heavy. Central would appear to have the edge at QB and WR. Wheaton looks to have the edge on Dline and at RB. Can they get pressure on Hawkins? Can Central stop the Wheaton running game? How does the Wheaton secondary hold up, NCC made some plays against them, albeit with two AA caliber WR's. Both teams have the line play to matchup with UWW for the region final. Staying healthy will play a big factor in this as well. The team coming out of this region will have played some brutally physical football going into the semifinals.

[Old Dutch]

Yes it is a complete team and a very good representative of a not as down as you thought ARC. It was fun to see how Central play against a winning team. Turns out pretty well.

I'd actually argue Central is an outlier at the top of the ARC this year. Typically the 2nd and 3rd place teams are a bit closer to the top team and hold serve better out of conference. Wartburg seemed a step back from their usual standard. We will see next week and potentially the following how the top of the ARC stacks up. If they survive that gauntlet, then we can definitively say Central and the ARC took a big step forward.

I think this Wheaton vs Central game is a great matchup. Both are very COVID Sr heavy. Central would appear to have the edge at QB and WR. Wheaton looks to have the edge on Dline and at RB. Can they get pressure on Hawkins? Can Central stop the Wheaton running game? How does the Wheaton secondary hold up, NCC made some plays against them, albeit with two AA caliber WR's. Both teams have the line play to matchup with UWW for the region final. Staying healthy will play a big factor in this as well. The team coming out of this region will have played some brutally physical football going into the semifinals.

I would agree that the Dutch are outliers this year, but it is mostly out there because of quarterback play and the great receivers he throws to.  I would also say that the Dutch Defense is a great unit, its been overlooked but they proved today against a very strong offense how good they are.  And then we can't forget the work Bannister and Neu did on kickoff returns, the whole Kick return team is testament of the depth of this team.  So ya, the Dutch are outliers this year, and I hope they stay there, but I know Warty and Coe and DBQ are going to come back stronger, Loras and BV proved to be very competitive as some parity in the middle of the conference was the norm.  Can't worry about that, Wheaton is next on the calendar and its gonna be a good one!  Go Dutch!

[Schipper Strong]

Central has been playing very well all year long and getting better with every game. We are like everyone else when it comes to injuries. We lost our top receiver from the spring season and game one in game one. We lost a strong running back against Wartburg. Jason Hopp has been out for an injury and was limping just prior to the half. Knaack was out for an injury late in the season. We just don't make an issue of it. The next man steps up.

Central beat a quality opponent today because they are a very solid team. Period. They excelled in every area if the game today. The defense had an amazing goal line stand today and it took Bethel about 7 plays from what, 2 yards out before they finally got the TD. Central was equally amazing on punt and kickoff returns and coverage. We got our normal 59+ points even though Hawkins doubled his interception count today. He still beat his average of 5 TD passes.

This old Dutch lady had a fabulous time today feeling like a spring chicken with every touchdown. Great pride in all my "grandsons" out there today. It was fun jumping up and down like a teenybopper! Keep it up Dutch.

[Fannosaurus Rex]

The last time Central played Wheaton the weather chilled my bones and the score board chilled my soul.  I believe it is the closest I have ever been to hypothermia.  The forecast is for 40 and dry for this one.

[hazzben]

Yes it is a complete team and a very good representative of a not as down as you thought ARC. It was fun to see how Central play against a winning team. Turns out pretty well.

I'd actually argue Central is an outlier at the top of the ARC this year. Typically the 2nd and 3rd place teams are a bit closer to the top team and hold serve better out of conference. Wartburg seemed a step back from their usual standard. We will see next week and potentially the following how the top of the ARC stacks up. If they survive that gauntlet, then we can definitively say Central and the ARC took a big step forward.

I think this Wheaton vs Central game is a great matchup. Both are very COVID Sr heavy. Central would appear to have the edge at QB and WR. Wheaton looks to have the edge on Dline and at RB. Can they get pressure on Hawkins? Can Central stop the Wheaton running game? How does the Wheaton secondary hold up, NCC made some plays against them, albeit with two AA caliber WR's. Both teams have the line play to matchup with UWW for the region final. Staying healthy will play a big factor in this as well. The team coming out of this region will have played some brutally physical football going into the semifinals.

I would agree that the Dutch are outliers this year, but it is mostly out there because of quarterback play and the great receivers he throws to.  I would also say that the Dutch Defense is a great unit, its been overlooked but they proved today against a very strong offense how good they are.  And then we can't forget the work Bannister and Neu did on kickoff returns, the whole Kick return team is testament of the depth of this team.  So ya, the Dutch are outliers this year, and I hope they stay there, but I know Warty and Coe and DBQ are going to come back stronger, Loras and BV proved to be very competitive as some parity in the middle of the conference was the norm.  Can't worry about that, Wheaton is next on the calendar and its gonna be a good one!  Go Dutch!

I'd agree with all of this. I was particularly impressed with the interior of the Dutch Dline and #10?? at LB. That will be a great matchup to watch versus Wheaton and their stellar running game. The Dutch offensive line was very effective at keeping Hawkins clean, and he reminds me of Rutter a bit, with time and 3-4 options, he is very good at working through his progressions to find the open guy. When Central got pass happy in the first half Bethel was right in the mix of things. They went to running it more in the second, which is where we are weak this year, and that really opened up the passing game. Dutch play calling in the second half was very strong. And 100% agree, the game ball IMO goes to the Central punt and kickoff return teams. Every time Bethel scored or had to punt they had outstanding returns. The D played with their backs against the wall on what felt like 80% of the Dutch possessions.