FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

It isn't very often that I see things that are a first for me given that I have watched Central football since the days of Vern Den Herder. But today's opening kickoff for -5 yards was a new one. I really wish Central put the football games out for viewing after they were over just to see it again. It was the first sign it was going to be a good day for the Dutch. Add in a blocked PAT returned for 2 points and a pick 6 for more of the rare plays. Plus watching the two freshmen QBs from the quad squad combine for 12-14 passing with 4 TDs was encouraging. I cannot wait to see who puts in the off season effort to emerge as next year's starting QB.Cooper Downs has had the starter position since Wartburg, but it is so highly contested that any of these guys could be it next year.

It was a nice home final for 31 seniors, including three 5th year players. It has also been the kind of year that might inspire some of those 4th year seniors to return. Next year is oozing with potential and this year isn't quite over. We may have 3 losses, but they were so close and the victories were fairly lopsided. It all bodes well. One more game at UD to go. I think the odds favor UD, but for today we cleaned up the penalties and turnovers. It is going to be a good game next weekend.

[Outside the Crate]

Never thought I'd ever have more faith in the Dutch than Schipper Strong, but I pick the Dutch over the Spartans -- almost any day, but surely this year.

[doolittledog]

Never thought I'd ever have more faith in the Dutch than Schipper Strong, but I pick the Dutch over the Spartans -- almost any day, but surely this year.

Dubuque is 5-7 against Central since Coach Z took over.  5-5 over the past 10 games in the series.  This Spartan senior class is 1-1 against the Dutch.  Central certainly gave Wartburg a stronger test than UD this season, but other common opponents against Central and UD I can see how one might think UD would be a favorite over Central this weekend.  UD has wins over Coe and Loras which are two schools that beat Central.  Games against BVU, Luther, NWU, and Simpson produced similar results for Central and Dubuque.  But that's why we play the games.  I might not be expecting a UD win over Central, but I am anxious to sit in the stands on Saturday and hope for a good game and will not be surprised at all to see the Spartans come out on top.  If they do that and we also see a Coe win over Wartburg, all the better.    

[Outside the Crate]

I see that Wartburg finally got a little boost in the poll, to # 15 this week.  Bravo.  Overdue, I think, but that's the challenge when no one loses who is more highly ranked. 

[doolittledog]

Final week of the regular season 

Standings...

Wartburg  7-0  9-0
Dubuque  6-1  6-3
Coe.........6-1  7-2
Loras.......5-3  5-5
Central....4-3  6-3
BVU........2-5  3-6
Luther.....1-6  1-8
Simpson..1-6  1-8
NWU.......0-7  1-8

This weeks games...

NWU @ Luther  Noon
Wartburg @ Coe  1pm
Central @ Dubuque  1pm
BVU @ Simpson  1pm
Loras with the end of season bye week 

[hazzben]

I see that Wartburg finally got a little boost in the poll, to # 15 this week.  Bravo.  Overdue, I think, but that's the challenge when no one loses who is more highly ranked.

I was wait and see on Wart through the first few weeks. They are clearly undervalued IMO. Feels like a Top 10 team, reminds me of the team that went into Whitewater and almost pulled it out a few years back. They're a team, assuming a W Sat, that a good draw could very well set them up for a run. The challenge is that there are a lot of really good teams pretty close. And some 2 loss teams like UWW that wouldn't be a fun early matchup either.

[Schipper Strong]

Never thought I'd ever have more faith in the Dutch than Schipper Strong, but I pick the Dutch over the Spartans -- almost any day, but surely this year.

Me either OTC . By all rights, Wartburg should have been further ahead of Central at halftime. On that day the Central defense really played a fantastic game, outside of the closing minute or two. Unfortunately we have not been able to really shut anyone down since the following week at NWU and mostly Luther. That is why I am concerned about this game. We have not been thumped by any team this season, but Doolittle is right, with the exception of Wartburg, UD has done better against the other teams. I would be thrilled to win Saturday and I would not be shocked if we do, but it would be a very pleasant surprise. Not a huge one mind you, I don't think it would be by much if we lose, but what a great momentum boost if we played lights out.

[doolittledog]

Tale of the tape...which we know has nothing to do with how the game will play out on Saturday, but it's fun to play along.

Central lost to Wartburg 28-35
Dubuque lost to Wartburg 0-25
Advantage Central

Central lost @ Coe 31-37
Dubuque won @ Coe 15-14
Advantage Dubuque

Central lost to Loras 35-38
Dubuque won @ Loras 27-20 in OT
Advantage Dubuque

Central won @ BVU 52-27
Dubuque won @ BVU 46-16
Advanage...push

Central beat Luther 61-13
Dubuque beat Luther 68-7
Advantage...push

Central won @ NWU 58-0
Dubuque won @ NWU 48-34
Advantage Central

Central beat Simpson 49-17
Dubuque beat Simpson 66-14
Advantage Dubuque???  Maybe a push???

Who wins in Dubuque this Saturday?  We'll find out around 4pm at Chalmers Field.  I anticipate a good one. 

[doolittledog]

Tale of the tape for Wartburg @ Coe...

Wartburg won @ Dubuque 25-0
Coe lost to Dubuque 14-15
Advantage Wartburg

Wartburg beat Loras 42-3
Coe beat Loras 27-17
Advantage Wartburg

Wartburg beat Central 35-28
Coe beat Central 37-31
Advantage...push

Wartburg beat BVU 65-0
Coe beat BVU 14-3
Advantage Wartburg

Wartburg beat Luther 62-0
Coe beat Luther 56-10
Advantage...push

Wartburg beat Simpson 81-9
Coe beat Simpson 48-10
Advantage Wartburg???  maybe a push???

Wartburg beat NWU 65-0
Coe beat NWU 34-14
Advantage Wartburg. 

Game this weekend is at Coe.  Should be a good one.  The Knights have had a great year.  All comes down to this game. Coe, Dubuque, and Wartburg all playing for a chance at a conference title and a shot at the playoffs. 

[Schipper Strong]

Would love to be at the Dubuque game this weekend. It should be a good one. I have family obligations that have kept me from getting to any of the out-of-town games this year. I will be able to watch online at least. Hoping Central can play spoiler and end the season on a positive note. No offense to Coe or UD, but it would be a shock to see either team go to the playoffs instead of Wartburg. Central had a brutal playoff path last year and I think it is going to be the same for this year's ARC champ. We need to start knocking the WIAC, MIAC and Illinois teams out and raise the ARC profile so we can get two teams in again.

[Schipper Strong]

Okay DD, I have been trying to find updated listings of starters and depth charts with no luck. I do have a list from the first game of the season. Our "young" team started:
0 FR
2 SO
5 JR
12 SR
3 5th

Not young at all, other than inexperienced at starting with 15 5th year players the year before. I don't know exactly how that has changed over the season. I do know we have given playing time to some freshmen receivers and two freshmen quarterbacks and one running back pretty regularly. But not young as frequently stated in write ups.

[Schipper Strong]

https://athletics.central.edu/news/2022/11/10/football-central-eyes-season-ending-football-win.aspx
Above is the pregame write up if the Dubuque game. Central is one of the few schools that give significant information on both teams. I really appreciate being able to go/tune in to the game and have some information on what to expect. Larry Happel does a great job.

31 seniors including 4 who are 5th year playing their last game. It should give them incentive to go out on a high note. Would love to see many of the traditional seniors come back next year. Go Dutch! You can do it!

[Fannosaurus Rex]

I will be rooting for Central Saturday, 1. Because I always root for Central and 2. I don't want to see them end the 2022 season without a win against a team with a better than 500 record.

[Outside the Crate]

Happel is the best.  Reminds me of Duane Schroeder.

[Schipper Strong]

https://twitter.com/todayshow/status/1591074284801167361?s=46&t=ICu_-N71NSF_8cLPp8H1Rw
Wow, I can't believe it has been 50 years since Miami had their perfect season. Central alum Harry Smith with the story.