Fast start leads to big win for Central football team
LINCOLN, NEB. – Scoring a touchdown just 17 seconds into the game, the Central College football team never looked back in a 44-11 win at Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Central (3-3, 1-2 American Rivers Conference) wide receiver Elijah Mendez (sophomore, Peoria, Ariz., Sunrise Mountain HS) returned the opening kickoff 27 yards to the 42-yardline. The first play from a scrimmage was handoff to running back Cody Klein (junior, Newton) who took it 58 yards to the house.
The Dutch defense forced a three and out and started its second possession from the same 42-yardline. It took five plays, but quarterback Gentry Dumont’s (junior, Solon, Regina Catholic HS) seven-yard touchdown run gave Central a 14-0 lead with 10:43 left in the opening quarter.
“Those two early scores really gave us a boost of confidence,” coach McMartin said. “It put us in position where we’re on out in front of the game as opposed to the back of it.”
Those fourteen points were enough for the Dutch defense, which limited the Prairie Wolves (0-6, 0-3 conference) to its lowest point total through three league games.
“It was probably one of the best games we’ve played defensively,” McMartin said. “They’ve been scoring points against everybody since week three and we limited them to one touchdown, a 2-point conversion and a field goal. Our defensive staff put together a really good game plan.”
The Dutch defense forced a pair of turnovers. Brecken Ritzert (freshman, linebacker, Pella, Pella Christian HS) had a first quarter interception which set up a third touchdown. Tyler Groen (sophomore, Frankfort, Ill., Lincoln-Way East HS) had a strip sack of the quarterback in the fourth quarter recovered by linebacker Lake Cowman (sophomore, Pella), setting up the final Central touchdown. Central had five total sacks, two by Jace Tippett (sophomore, Eldridge, North Scott HS).
“We had some really good performances from our defensive line,” McMartin said. “Jace played really well.”
Central piled up 439 yards on offense, including 298 on the ground.
“We got a really good performance out of our offensive line,” McMartin said. “They were banged up all week and I thought they showed a lot of courage with how hard they played and how they competed for us.”
Klein finished with 148 rushing yards and two scores while Jase Grunder (senior, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS) added 95 yards and a touchdown.
“Those two consistently have been great for us all year long,” McMartin said. “We have a two-headed monster there.”
In the passing game, Central was 10 of 12 for 141 yards. Brett Connolly (sophomore, Plainfield, Ill., Oswego HS) was 3-of-3 for 33 yards while Dumont was 6-for-8 for 78 yards. Dumont threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Klein and a 32-yard scoring grab to Elam Parises (sophomore, tight end, Elizabeth, Colo., Mountain Vista HS).
“I thought both quarterbacks did well,” McMartin said. “As the game wore on, Gentry made some important plays for us and you need to have that as a quarterback.”
Central hosts Buena Vista University at 1 p.m. Saturday.
