Central makes football season debut at night

Central College Football 2014

PELLA — More than the usual mystery accompanies the dawn of the 2014 Central College football season Saturday.

The Dutch will open at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., marking the first time the two programs have ever met on the football field. It’s a 6:30 p.m. start at the Village of Lisle/Benedictine University Sports Complex, making it Central’s first night game since 2010.

What is certain is the Dutch enthusiasm level for the season’s launch.

“It’s time to compete,” said Jeff McMartin, who is entering his 11th year as Central’s head coach with a glossy 79-27 record. “We have guys who love to compete and they want to play against another team. If you’re a real competitor, you can’t wait for this day to get here.”

But the Dutch must ignore the distractions of facing a new opponent at an unusual start time.

“We have to go up there and be a focused team,” McMartin said. “We have to do our job, stay focused and be in the moment. As things happen, how you react to them will determine the outcome of the game.

“But it’s good to be challenged. This will be a good first test.”

On the Web, on the air—Fan favorite Trevor Castle is back for another year as the voice of the Dutch and will call the play-by-play 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.

Castle and the KRLS sports team will also play host to the Coaches Corner each Monday night during the season at Applebee’s at 1600 Washington Street in Pella from 7-7:30 p.m. McMartin and Castle will take questions from the patrons at Applebee’s and provide an in-depth look at the Dutch season each week.

Benedictine University–The Eagles were 7-3 last year and are tabbed for second place in the Northern Athletics Conference preseason coaches’ poll. Benedictine was third a year ago and has won or shared two league titles since 2010.

Benedictine averaged 33.0 points per game last year. Senior running back Artie Monaco (5-10, 190) is back after rushing for 513 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 5.2 yards per carry. He was also the team’s top punt and kick returner, bringing back one kick 100 yards for a TD. Senior Ryan Keener takes over at quarterback after serving as the backup last season.

Linebacker Dylan Rose was the squad’s second-leading tackler, making 71 stops, including 10 for loss.

Coach Jon Cooper has been on the Benedictine staff for 28 seasons, becoming head coach in 2005. He’s the winningest coach in school history and is a two-time NAC coach of the year.

“They’ve got a lot of returning players on both sides of the ball,” McMartin said. “They’ve brought in some new players who will be very good as well. They run the ball well and they’re very physical.”

McMartin said his scouting report is based on video from three games which the schools exchanged.

“What we’re seeing offensively are a lot of similarities with our offense and the types of plays we run,” he said. “Defensively, they use a four-man front most of the time, but they will run a three-man front in particular situations. They’ll give us a great challenge.”

Productive preseason—Central had its final preseason scrimmage Saturday and was still making decisions early in the week.

“We have to evaluate not only who will be our starters, but what we do well, what we need to keep working on and how we can play to our strengths,” McMartin said. “We’ve got some decisions to make. It will be tough but I’m confident we’ll get the right people in the right spots.”

Seven starters are back on offense and three on defense from last year’s 6-4 team. Choices at many of the offensive skill positions are obvious. Running back Josh Osborn (senior, Burlington) was a first-team all-Iowa Conference honoree after rushing for 936 yards on 185 carries with six touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Eiseler (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS) also returns after connecting on 150 of 265 passes for 1,385 yards with nine interceptions and 17 touchdowns. And the top receiver is back in Brendon Boerm (senior, Traer, North Tama HS), who caught 43 balls for 378 yards and four TDs.

On defense, first-team all-conference pick Eric Larson (senior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) returns. The 2013 NCAA Division III indoor heptathlon and outdoor decathlon national champion made 52 tackles and had a team-high 12 pass breakups, along with a pair of interceptions.

Central also returns three-time all-league kicker Kevin Sheldon (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS).

While changes are anticipated, Central’s tentative starting lineup includes six seniors on offense and four on defense. There are also three freshmen listed. McMartin felt like the Dutch had a banner recruiting year and what he saw from the newcomers in the preseason did not dim his enthusiasm.

“I’ve been really pleased with the freshman class,” he said. “I feel like there’s a lot of talent in this group. Collectively, with their speed in the 40 and in the agility test, this is the fastest class we’ve ever brought in, at least in my time here.

“This class addresses a lot of current and future needs and there will be some freshmen who play this first game.”

But McMartin throws in a word of caution.

“We also have to be mindful of the fact that we have to make sure they’re prepared to take that next step in their football careers,” he said. “I think they will be.”

Central College (0-0 overall, 0-0 conference)
Probable starters

OFFENSE

QB 9 Aaron Eiseler (sr., 6-0, 215)

RB 28 Josh Osborn (jr., 5-10, 200)

SB 33 Kyle Gritsch (fr., 5-11, 205)

TE 2 Jack Norgaard (sr., 6-3, 230)

WR 6 Brendon Boerm (sr., 5-11, 185)

WR 14 Taylor Cox (jr., 5-6, 150)

LT 55 Nick Watson (jr., 6-4, 245)

LG 68 Garrett Young (sr., 6-0, 275)

C 60 Kyle Pepper (so., 6-1, 280)

RG 50 Ryan Collins (sr., 6-1, 240)

RT 72 Jordan Youngman (sr., 6-4, 320)

DEFENSE

DE 99 Dustin Smith (jr., 6-0, 245)

NG 54 Brody Janssen (jr., 6-2, 250)

DE 78 Corbin Blythe (fr., 6-2, 260)

OLB 8 Jacob Tune (sr., 6-1, 205)

ILB 19 Drew Carlson (fr., 6-0, 185)

ILB 31 Jessie Peterson (so., 6-1, 205)
OLB 24 Nick Henry (sr., 6-1, 215)

CB 10 Eric Larson (sr., 6-2, 185)

SS 30 Jaemin Powell (jr., 6-3, 190)

FS 3 Jake Edleman (sr., 6-0, 190)

CB 13 Tony Oros (so., 5-10, 180)

SPECIALTY

KO 16 Kevin Sheldon (sr., 6-0, 175)

PAT/ 16 Kevin Sheldon (sr., 6-0, 175)

FG

P 3 Jake Edleman (sr., 6-0, 190)

LS-P 70 Owen McConnell (fr., 6-1, 250)
LS-K 50 Ryan Collins (sr., 6-1, 240)