Mexico football game to include eight Central players
Central Dutch Athletics
PELLA —A contingent of eight players will represent the Central College football program in this year’s Tazon De Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) on December 16 in Tijuana, Mexico.
Wide receivers Kohle Helle (senior, Guttenberg, Clayton Ridge HS) and Sam Markham (senior, Atlantic) will be joined on the offense by center Josh Brunk (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) and right tackle Cal Smith (senior, Orland Park, Ill., Carl Sandburg HS). Defensively, cornerback Tony Oros (senior, Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) and the linebacker trio of Chris Neeld (senior, New Boston, Ill., Mercer County HS), Sam Norgaard (senior, Naperville, Ill., Neuqua Valley HS) and Tyler Olson (senior, Mapleton, Minn., Maple River HS) round out Central’s eight selections.
The Tazon de Estrellas is an all-star game hosted by Global Football. The event, and its predecessor, the Aztec Bowl, have a combined 20-year history. The eight Central players will play for Team Stars and Stripes, a 40-player team of NCAA Division III seniors who have been nominated by head coaches. 16 different schools will be represented this year. Team Stars and Stripes will face all-stars chosen from a national conference of Mexican private colleges.
Helle had 23 catches for 161 yards in 2017 but added 354 rushing yards and 413 passing yards after injuries forced him to start at quarterback in three games. Markham, Central’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, had 63 grabs for 1,042 yards and 11 scores.
Brunk and Smith started all 10 games for a Central offense that averaged 34.7 points per game and 461.9 yards per contest. The Dutch rated top-50 nationally in total offense (461.9 yards per game) and total first downs (22.08 per game).
Injuries limited Oros to five games, in which he accumulated six solo tackles and a pass break-up.
Inside linebackers Olson and Norgaard both had 107 tackles to tie for the lead within the program and the Iowa Conference. Olson also had four interceptions, five pass break-ups and two forced fumbles. Norgaard had four break-ups, a forced fumble and blocked a kick. Neeld had 3.5 sacks from his outside linebacker position while adding 62 tackles and a forced fumble.
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 sixth consecutive year coaching the squad after several years as an assistant coach and Roslien’s 20th 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 Seth Eash, Marissa Drake, Julie Grether, Kelsi Griffiths, Josh Hawley, Hunter Howe and Owen McConnell will also make the trip to Mexico. Neu has been a part of the Mexican postseason games for 17 years.
For the 20th anniversary of the event, sophomore Aanna Roslien is completing a practicum through the Communications Department to help coordinate the Global Football alumni events held in conjunction with the game.
