Central looks to build football win streak in TV game
Central College
PELLA — Building the season’s first three-game win streak is on the agenda for the Central College football team when it travels to Dubuque to take on Loras College Saturday.
But the Dutch have yet to record an Iowa Conference road win in 2013. Central won its second straight game at home last Saturday, shutting down Luther College, 22-12, to improve to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in league games. Loras is 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the conference, dropping a 34-0 decision at Buena Vista Saturday.
On the air, online—Saturday’s game will be televised live by KCRG-TV digital channel 9.2 in Cedar Rapids and can also be seen through www.kcrg.com. The telecast will also air Sunday at 2 p.m.
Meanwhile Trevor Castle will call the play-by-play for the Dutch on KRLS-FM (92.1). The broadcast can also be accessed through Central’s website at www.central.edu/athletics or through www.kniakrls.com.
The series—Central was a 27-10 winner over the Duhawks at Pella last year and has won the last four games in the series, which the Dutch lead, 29-5.
The Duhawks—Sophomore running back Nate Carrier fuels the Loras attack, ranking third in the league in rushing with 492 yards on 121 carries and an average of 82.0 yards per game. Sophomore Thomas Rose has started at quarterback the past two weeks, completed 28 of 68 passes for 330 yards with two interceptions and one TD. Junior Dylan Jones started earlier in the season and has completed 41 of 97 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions.
Freshman linebacker Calvin Harridge is making a quick impression, ranking fourth in the league in tackles with 55, including 46 solos. Sophomore linebacker Logan Kuehl is 10th with 47.
“They have a very talented running back,” coach Jeff McMartin said. “They put a lot of pressure on you. They have a lot of defensive fronts and different looks to keep you off balance. And they play well at home. They’re a football team we have to prepare to play our best against.”
Defense, ground game fuel win—Central limited Luther to its lowest yardage total of the season—208 yards—and took advantage of some Norse mistakes in last Saturday’s win. Central had 10 tackles for loss, including four by linebacker Mike Young (senior, Country Club Hills, Ill., Hillcrest HS). McMartin said those tackles for loss are effective drive-killers for the Dutch defense.
“The things that hurt an offense the most are lost yardage and penalties,” McMartin said. “If you can avoid those on offense, you’ve got a great chance to succeed.”
Meanwhile Dutch running back Josh Osborn (junior, Burlington) gained 106 yards on 22 carries, the second time he’s topped the 100-yard mark this season.
A Luther fumble helped Central get on the board in the game’s first minute and the Dutch were up 12-0 before the midpoint of the first quarter.
“We got off to a fast start,” McMartin said. “We haven’t done that this year. We want to continue to come of the gates well and be consistent.”
With a stiff northwest wind, passing was a challenge. Quarterback Aaron Eiseler (junior, Newberg, Ore., Red Mountain, Ariz. HS) completed 15 of 25 passes for 101 yards.
“The wind always affects the passing game,” McMartin said. “Some people think when you have the wind at your back it should be easier but sometimes the ball sails on you. Throwing into the wind can almost be easier for a quarterback.
“But you just have to manage it and be patient. We don’t want to make excuses. We have to execute, we have to have receivers get open and we have to catch the ball. We also need to do a great job of reading coverages and making throws. I’m seeing improvement in all those areas.”
Dutch numbers–Central continues to lead the conference in rushing defense, yielding 109.5 yards per game. The Dutch are second in sacks with 16.
Mitch Schroeder (junior, Lowden, North Cedar HS) is the conference’s top tackler with 10.8 per game. Defensive end Danny Samson (senior, Baxter, CMB HS) is first in sacks with eight and linebacker Keith Rush (senior, Griswold) is third with four. Samson also leads in tackles for loss with 18, including 12 solos. Cornerback Eric Larson (junior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) is first in passes defended with 10 breakups and an interception. Kicker Kevin Sheldon (junior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) shares the league field goals lead with six and ranks second in kick scoring with 35 points.
Osborn is second in all-purpose yardage with 122.7 yards per game. He’s gained 483 yards on the ground with 119 receiving yards and 134 kick return yards. Brendon Boerm (sophomore, Traer, North Tama HS) ranks second in receptions with 35 for 307 yards and three scores.
NCAA stats—Larson blocked his third kick of the season Saturday, this time on an extra point. Central has blocked seven kicks overall and ranks No. 3 in Division III in that category. The Dutch are also among 43 Division III schools that have not allowed one of their own kicks to be blocked. Central is No. 7 in tackles for loss with 9.7 per game. Samson ranks No. 7 individually with 2.3 per game (16 overall). And the Dutch are No. 27 in scoring defense, yielding 15.0 points per game. They’ve limited five of seven opponents to 14 points or less.
Notes—Central has lost its last three conference road games. The Dutch last won a league game away from home last year on Oct. 20, a 31-14 victory at Luther… Central lists just two seniors in the offensive starting lineup, while six are starting on defense…The Dutch have not made a turnover in the past three games…Saturday’s first touchdown marked the first time this year that Central scored on its opening possession.
Central College
Probable starters
OFFENSE
QB 9 Aaron Eiseler (jr., 6-0, 210)
RB 28 Josh Osborn (jr., 5-9, 190)
SB 41 Austin Shaver (jr., 5-11, 225)
TE 2 Jack Norgaard (jr., 6-3, 220)
WR 18 Blaine Forsythe (jr., 6-1, 200)
WR 6 Brendon Boerm (so., 6-0, 185)
LT 55 Nick Watson (so., 6-4, 245)
LG 63 Matt Schrafel (sr., 6-3, 275)
C 73 Travis Hook (sr., 6-4, 270)
RG 50 Ryan Collins (jr., 6-1, 245)
RT 72 Jordan Youngman (jr., 6-4, 305)
DEFENSE
DE 15 Danny Samson (jr., 5-11, 255)
NG 91 Spencer Matlock (sr., 6-0, 285)
DE 5 Jack Shipley (sr., 6-3, 255)
OLB 22 Mike Young (sr., 5-11, 185)
ILB 44 Mitch Schroeder (jr., 6-0, 195)
ILB 47 Zac Miller (so., 5-10, 195)
OLB 48 Keith Rush (sr., 5-10, 210)
CB 10 Eric Larson (jr., 6-2, 175)
SS 8 Jacob Tune (jr., 6-1, 205)
FS 3 Jake Edleman (sr., 6-0, 185)
CB 20 Jason Breon (sr., 5-10, 175)
SPECIALTY
KO 16 Kevin Sheldon (jr., 6-0, 190 )
PAT/ 16 Kevin Sheldon (jr., 6-0, 190 )
FG
P 18 Blaine Forsythe (so., 6-1, 195)
LS-P 22 Mike Young (sr., 5-11, 185)
LS-K 86 Drew Lindaman (so., 6-3, 225)
PR 14 Taylor Cox (so., 5-6, 155)
KR 28 Josh Osborn (jr., 5-9, 190)
6 Brendon Boerm (so., 6-0, 180)
2013 Central College football results
4-3 overall, 2-2 Iowa Conference
Sept. 7 Wis.-Oshkosh Pella L, 24-20
Sept. 14 Augustana Rock Island, Ill. W, 38-13
Sept. 28 Albion (Mich.) Pella W, 31-6
Oct. 5 Dubuque Dubuque L, 23-21
Oct. 12 Simpson Indianola L, 14-10
Oct. 19 Buena Vista Pella W, 23-13
Oct. 26 Luther Pella W, 22-12
Nov. 2 Loras Dubuque 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 Wartburg Waverly 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 Coe Pella 1 p.m.
2013 Central College junior varsity football schedule
Sept. 16 Grand View Des Moines L, 44-10
Sept. 23 Coe Cedar Rapids L, 17-2
Sept. 30 Augustana (Ill.) Rock Island, Ill. L, 21-16
Oct. 14 Simpson Pella W, 41-13
Oct. 28 Simpson Indianola 6 p.m.
Nov. 11 Wartburg Pella 6 p.m
