FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

2019 Central Dutch lose, unexpectedly to most Dutch fans, to Dubuque in a game Dubuque dominated. Then Central is seemingly clobbering Wartburg in a game that is going surprisingly easy to most Dutch fans only to hang on in the second half and win in OT. This sends Central to the playoffs with most "people in the know" glad to see Wartburg get a pool C as they were the more well known playoff team in recent years. Next Central flips the script and becomes the come from behind team in round 1 winning in OT. They go to Wheaton and face a thunderstorm of exceptional players. Blaine Hawkins was probably hearing the clap of Thunder from the d-line well into the football season that wasn't.

The Dutch aren't happy with how things went and vow to come back stronger. Many players may have made that vow, but thanks to Covid the seniors who made that vow have to put their lives on hold to do it. The majority of them do just that. They come back and win the conference outright with an undefeated season. Reversing the Dubuque loss with a 70 point swing, not letting Wartburg come back and winning the ARC title by a 2 game cushion. They set multiple records along the way. Saturday they get a rematch with Wheaton. Wheaton is still Wheaton. As a fan I would prefer another game with DePauw another 2019 opponent. The players are likely far more excited to play them than I am.

That said, this year we are not back in the playoffs after a 10 year absence. We are not limping into round 2 after a come from behind win in OT. We beat a team that took a number one seed to the limit twice and we did it convincingly. We aren't going on the road, we are in the comfortable and friendly confines of Schipper Stadium. Oh, and we have the top offense in Division III, the leading QB in all divisions, a stepped up kick/punt return effort, a very strong snd overshadowed defense with a D-lineman scoring a TD for good measure. We will be ready this time. Go Dutch!

[USee]

Great summary! Looking forward to an epic battle in Pella this weekend!

[Schipper Strong]

Great summary! Looking forward to an epic battle in Pella this weekend!

I am looking forward to it as well! Would be looking forward to DePauw more, but I have faith in this team. I predict Central will win. Just trying to figure out the spread.

[USee]

Great summary! Looking forward to an epic battle in Pella this weekend!

I am looking forward to it as well! Would be looking forward to DePauw more, but I have faith in this team. I predict Central will win. Just trying to figure out the spread.

I'll definitely take the Thunder and the points, whatever you deem them to be. I'll say this, the teams playing in this part of the bracket will, over the next two Saturdays, know exactly where they stand in the national contender picture. 

[SpartanHouse]

I think this will be a great matchup. This is a very good Wheaton team but isn't their best team. Think it will be a shootout.

I'll take Central 38-37

[New Tradition]

I think it's Wheaton's best defense.  I see them smothering the Dutch ground game and a result very similar to what we just saw vs. Aurora.  55-28 in favor of the Crusaders.  Starters stay in the whole time this game, though. 

[USee]

This is the best Offensive Line/Defensive Front, as a whole group, Wheaton has ever had. Very comparable to the 2019 version but better up front. They have faced the #2 and #12 offenses in the country and given up 20pts and 13 pts respectively. It will be a challenge to see how they do against Offense #1.

The Wheaton offense, ranked 10th in the country and actually averaging 7.7 yds per play (FYI, Central averages 7.5, NCC averages 8.7, Aurora 6.8) has been somewhat overlooked and will be the matchup I am most interested in. Bethel ranks #34 in total offense (#61 in defense) and was Central's best opponent so far.

Central does some unique things on offense and defense which will present its own challenges. Two very motivated teams going into this one.

[hazzben]

I think it's Wheaton's best defense.  I see them smothering the Dutch ground game and a result very similar to what we just saw vs. Aurora.  55-28 in favor of the Crusaders.  Starters stay in the whole time this game, though.

Central will be much better up front on both sides than Aurora was. They also have a fuller complement of WR's. Not predicting a Central W, but they will be a much more complete team than Aurora was.

[DuffMan]

I think it's Wheaton's best defense.  I see them smothering the Dutch ground game and a result very similar to what we just saw vs. Aurora.  55-28 in favor of the Crusaders.  Starters stay in the whole time this game, though.

Crusaders?  Isn't Wheaton the Thunder?

[USee]

New Tradition is showing his age. Wheaton changed from the Crusaders to the Thunder over 20 years ago.

[DuffMan]

Wheaton changed from the Crusaders to the Thunder over 20 years ago.

Ah, a good bit a trivia. 

[USee]

Wheaton changed from the Crusaders to the Thunder over 20 years ago.

Ah, a good bit a trivia. 

Which? New Tradition's age or Wheaton's name change?

[Old Dutch]

Hey Dutch Fans, the Gagliardi trophy voting is open until Dec. 3.  I believe our favorite quarterback is a great candidate.  Vote Here  https://d3football.com/notables/2021/11/gagliardi-voting

[SpartanHouse]

This is the best Offensive Line/Defensive Front, as a whole group, Wheaton has ever had. Very comparable to the 2019 version but better up front. They have faced the #2 and #12 offenses in the country and given up 20pts and 13 pts respectively. It will be a challenge to see how they do against Offense #1.

The Wheaton offense, ranked 10th in the country and actually averaging 7.7 yds per play (FYI, Central averages 7.5, NCC averages 8.7, Aurora 6.8) has been somewhat overlooked and will be the matchup I am most interested in. Bethel ranks #34 in total offense (#61 in defense) and was Central's best opponent so far.

Central does some unique things on offense and defense which will present its own challenges. Two very motivated teams going into this one.

I actually thought Wheaton has had better OL in the past. Didn't think this was their top group.
Also thought their 2019 DL was better.
Lastly, I thought their WR core was their worst position group.

Seeing how Central dismantled Bethel I think this will be a GREAT game and Central will have a chance to win in the 4th.

[USee]

To clarify, I tried to say this is the best OL/DL they have had overall at the same time.  There may have been better OL (I can't remember one) and this is the exact same DL except for Brayden Anthony instead of Pat O'Connell at DE. So I think the 3 returners and Brayden are better than the 2019 group. I agree the WR group isn't as strong as 2019. 

I am not sure how the Bethel game translates. If you are looking at that game and the relative strength of Bethel you then get into St Johns/Aurora/NCC etc and that's a tough argument for either side.

I think HansenRatings is often pretty accurate and he has it close to a pickem.