Four Central football players to play in Mexico game
Central College
PELLA — Four Central College football seniors have been selected to participate in this year’s Tazon De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) in Baja, Mexico Saturday, Dec. 19.
Defensive back Cael Halfman (Manly/St. Ansgar HS), tight end Jake Wassenaar (Pella), defensive lineman Dustin Smith (Marion/Linn-Mar HS) and offensive lineman Nick Watson (Janesville) will represent the Dutch.
The Tazon de Estrellas is an all-star game hosted by Global Football. The event, and its predecessor, the Aztec Bowl, have a combined 18-year history. The four Central players will play for Team Stars and Stripes, a 43-player team of NCAA Division III seniors who have been nominated by head coaches. A record 27 schools will be represented this year. Team Stars and Stripes will face all-stars chosen from a national conference of Mexican private colleges.
Halfman recorded 29 tackles for the Dutch this season, adding three pass breakups and six pass deflections. He was third on the team with three interceptions, returned for 22 yards.
Wassenaar caught six passes for 57 yards this season, an average of 9.5 yards per catch. He is a two-time academic all-Iowa Conference honoree and was named a member of the Allstate Good Works Team this year.
Smith was second on the squad with seven tackles for loss this year, while notching 30 total tackles. He finished with two sacks for 12 yards. Smith received all-conference honorable mention this season and was awarded the team’s Brian O’Donnell Award as the outstanding freshman in 2012.
Watson was a key component of a Central offensive line that led the way for 182 yards rushing per game this season. He also received all-conference honorable mention.
Former Dutch defensive coordinator Don De Waard is the head coach for Team Stars and Stripes and Central athletic training education program director John Roslien serves as the player personnel director. It is De Waard’s fourth consecutive year coaching the squad after several years as an assistant coach and Roslien’s 18th year of involvement with the game and its predecessor, the Aztec Bowl. Dutch head athletic trainer Frank Neu serves in that role for the team and Central senior athletic training students Andrew Fritz, Rachel Cassens, Tyler Folkertz and Rachel Schmidt will also make the trip to Mexico. Neu has been a part of the Mexican postseason games for 15 years.
