Dutch passer Gray lauded by Iowa Conference

Central College

PELLA — After breaking several program records in a 51-37 victory over Wartburg College, Central College quarterback Riley Gray (senior, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) was named the Iowa Conference male athlete and offensive football player of the week.

In the first half alone against the Knights, Gray tied the school record by tossing five touchdown passes. Chris Nelson is the only other Dutch quarterback to reach the five-touchdown plateau, doing so in 1972 against Wartburg.

Gray finished the game with 29 completions on 43 passes for 327 yards and one interceptions. The 43 pass attempts breaks his own school record, set just a week ago in a 43-17 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University. It was also his second consecutive 300-yard performance in the air. He also ran for a career-high 87 yards on 18 attempts.

Gray spread the ball around the field, finding wide receiver Sam Markham (senior, Atlantic) twice in the end zone, while S-back Kyle Gritsch (junior, Brooklyn, BGM HS), wide receiver Zack Martinelli (senior, Elburn, Ill., Kaneland HS) and running back Nathan Fitzgerald (sophomore, Elkader, Central Elkader HS) collected one touchdown pass a piece.

The senior has 2,107 yards through the air in 2016, already the third-best season in Central history. His 22 passing touchdowns are tied for the second most in a Dutch season.

A bye week for the Dutch this weekend is followed by the final home game of the year on November 5 against Simpson College at 1 p.m.