PELLA — This weekend's 1,585-mile trek to Spokane, Washington means making the longest regular-season trip in Central College football history.
That's the easy part.
The Dutch then must tackle nationally ranked Whitworth University (Wash.) Saturday in a 3 p.m. (Central Time) season opener at the Pine Bowl in Spokane, the teams' first-ever meeting.
While there's plenty of scenery in eastern Washington and Idaho for Central fans to soak up, that's not on the agenda for coach Jeff McMartin's squad.
"Our focus is on the game," McMartin said. "We get 10 of these opportunities to play every year and we want to make the most of it.
"This is not a sightseeing tour. But it's something I know our players will appreciate. We have the opportunity to play the 19th-ranked team (D3football.com poll) in the country and see how well we can compete."
It's a veteran Central squad, with 13 starters back from last year's 6-4 club after graduating just 12 seniors, the program's smallest outgoing class since 1994.
"We've got a lot of returning players and we know what they can do," McMartin said. "It's our job to put them in position to do theirs."
On the air and on the Web—The Voice of the Dutch, Trevor Castle, returns to call the action again this year on KRLS-FM (92.1). Don De Waard, who gave up his duties as defensive coordinator for the Dutch after storming the Central sidelines for 35 years, will offer his analysis and color in a special appearance in the booth Saturday.
The KRLS pregame show will air at 2:35 p.m. The broadcast can also be accessed through www.kniakrls.com or directly at rdo.to/krls. It's also accessible via mobile device with the KRLS app available through iTunes and other outlets.
Castle also plays host to McMartin on the KRLS Coaches' Corner broadcast live from Fred's dining establishment inside Central's Maytag Student Center each Monday throughout the season at 7 p.m. Those broadcasts are also available on demand through www.kniakrls.com. A live video stream of the show can be accessed via the Central athletics website at www.central.edu/athletics.
The coaches—Rod Sandberg is entering his third season as head coach at Whitworth after 11 years as defensive coordinator at Wheaton College (Ill.). He's made a dramatic impact with a 15-6 two-year record and an NCAA Division III playoff berth.
Jeff McMartin starts his 13th campaign as head coach of the Dutch. A 1990 Central graduate and a three-time Iowa Conference coach of the year, he's compiled a 93-33 (.738) record. He's one of just two Division III coaches serving on the American Football Coaches Association board of trustees.
The Pirates—Whitworth, 15th in the Sporting News preseason ratings, also has 13 starters back including eight from a high-octane offense that fueled a 9-2 season a year ago. The Pirates secured the third NCAA playoff berth in school history but made a first-round exit. Both of their losses were to Northwest Conference powerhouse Linfield College (Ore.) and in a preseason coaches' poll, Whitworth is tabbed to finish second in the league again this year.
Offensive weapons abound. Junior quarterback Ian Kolste returns after rolling up 2,810 passing yards. He completed 269 of 438 throws (.614) with 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has no shortage of talented targets, including 6-foot-2 junior tight end Nick Kiourkas, a third-team all-America pick by D3football.com. He made 37 receptions for 603 yards and eight TDs last fall.
"He's a tight end but he can also line up at wide receiver," McMartin said.
Junior Michael McKeown was the leading receiver with 55 catches for 510 yards and three touchdowns and sophomore Garrett McKay had 53 receptions for 466 yards. Further bolstering the position are 2014 starter Brett Moser, who was sidelined by illness last year, and University of Montana transfer Chase Naccarato.
The team's top rusher, 5-10, 200-pound senior Duke DeGaetano is also back. He ran for 776 yards on 188 carries (4.1 yards per carry) with 11 touchdowns. Three offensive line starters return.
"They've got an outstanding quarterback and their receivers are fantastic," McMartin said. "They run a fast-paced spread offense. They'll spread you out and wear you down, then pound you with the running game. And they've got a guy at the controls at quarterback who knows what he's doing."
First-team all-conference defensive end Daniel Portillo, a 6-2, 220-pound senior, was the team's leading tackler in 2015 with 61, including a team-high eight sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Another all-conference pick, 6-2, 210-pound senior outside linebacker Dalin McDonnell, had a team-best six interceptions while making19 stops with five tackles for loss.
Speed is the Whitworth calling card on defense.
"There's not a slow guy out there," McMartin said. "In passing situations they really dare you to throw and when you run, they have enough speed to limit you. They just don't give up big plays."
It's an opportunistic club. The Pirates ranked seventh in Division III in turnover margin last year with plus-17.
Key performers on special teams also return, including D3football.com all-region placekicker Rehn Reiley.
Limiting the damage—Up-tempo offenses like Whitworth's are becoming more common in college football, McMartin said. Central needs to be ready.
"Our defensive staff has spent a lot of time working on defending this kind of offense," he said. "We've improved our speed at a lot of positions, and that will help.
"It's also important to stay on the field on offense. We don't want a lot of three-and-outs because then you're giving them another opportunity."
The goal is to slow an offense like Whitworth's, not stop it.
"You don't want to give up big plays," McMartin said. "You've got to keep them in front of you, limit the damage and make them snap it again. They're going to get yards, but you have to minimize the points they score. If you get them to kick the ball, that's a victory."
Alumni scrimmage—Central staged a scrimmage with a team of alumni players Saturday.
"It was a good game," McMartin said. "It was great to have the alumni back so the players can connect with the past. And it gave us a chance to run our stuff against a different opponent. There was a lot of talent out there and we got a really good look at a lot of facets. (The alumni) ran some things we don't see in practice. It gave us a chance to learn and get better."
The 14-man Dutch coaching staff features 13 Central grads, and a few were back in pads for the alumni squad. Receivers coach Cody Huisman, a former all-conference and all-region wide receiver before graduating in 2008, gave the Dutch varsity defense fits, and caught a touchdown pass for the old guys. Also making an appearance were safeties coach Cody Baethke '13, tight ends coach Aaron Eiseler '15 and special teams coordinator/outside linebackers coach Austen Schueler '10.
Lineup decisions—McMartin said the Dutch lineup is falling into place.
"We've firmed up who most of the starters are," he said. "Some guys are still in a battle for No. 1 and No. 2 and we'll probably play them both."
Central started the preseason with three experienced options at quarterback but 2015 starter Riley Gray (senior, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) has maintained his hold on the spot. Sophomore Nate Boland (Iowa City, West HS), who started the final three games last year when Gray was injured, should see some action and Kohle Helle (junior, Guttenberg, Clayton Ridge HS), who also plays receiver, is also available.
"Riley competes, he works hard and is doing a great job as a senior leader," McMartin said.
Sophomore running back Patrick Gray (West Des Moines, Waukee HS) was injured in last year's final game and remains sidelined, but sophomore Donny Groezinger (Sulpher Springs, Texas, Eastland HS) has emerged as a promising rusher. He came to Central as a running back, moved to the defensive backfield last season and returned to running back for spring workouts.
"Donny has looked really good," McMartin said. "He played a lot for us in the scrimmage (Saturday). He's slippery."
The Dutch still need to develop depth at the position, McMartin said.
Central suffered some graduation losses in the offensive and defensive lines, but McMartin is encouraged by what he's seeing there.
"The offensive line is coming together," he said. "Every position group has strengths and weaknesses and we just have to play to their strengths. These guys are very good at knowing their assignments. They don't make a lot of mental mistakes.
"On defense, I think we've got some guys who can rush the passer. It's a matter of getting the tackles and making plays."
Same routine—McMartin wants this week's journey to feel like any other road trip—it's just that instead of a bus ride to Dubuque or Decorah, the Dutch will board a jet and fly cross country.
"We'll keep the same routine of when we eat and have meetings at the hotel at night like we would for any overnight trip," he said.
That doesn't mean it won't be a memorable weekend, just as each season is a special experience for the Dutch.
"It's a good opportunity for the players to spend a lot of time with each other," McMartin said.
"We want them to enjoy the journey. In practice, in a game, if you're not smiling and if you're not enjoying the process, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons."
And travel is something the Dutch need to enjoy as well. Only four of the season's 10 games are at home this year.
"We want to be road warriors this year," McMartin said.
Notes—De Waard may not be the only novice sportscaster in the KRLS radio booth for Saturday's game. Castle hinted that Harry Smith, a 1973 Central grad and former Dutch defensive lineman, may make an appearance as well. While not a sportscaster, it wouldn't exactly be his first rodeo. Smith is a prominent reporter for NBC News and a former co-host for "CBS This Morning." He's also a passionate fan of the Dutch and a member of the college's board of trustees…This is just the second time in program history that Central has flown for a regular-season road game. The Dutch winged it to San Antonio to take on Trinity (Texas) in 1986…Whitworth is the third Northwest Conference opponent for the Dutch. In NCAA playoff action Central traveled to Linfield (Ore.) in 2000 and played host to Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) in 2001. Whitworth has never played an Iowa Conference opponent…After playing three non-conference games in recent years, Central's schedule now features just two with the addition of Nebraska Wesleyan to the Iowa Conference, now a nine-team league…Central's first 2016 two-deep roster includes a pair of freshmen: offensive guard Sam Kruger (Slater, Ballard HS) and cornerback Danny Anderson (Boone). The opening-day lineup features 13 seniors, six juniors and three sophomores…Central doesn't make its home debut until Sept. 17, when Buena Vista University comes to Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium to start conference play.
Probable starters
Central College
Sat., Sept. 3
OFFENSE
QB 16 Riley Gray (6-1, 200, sr.)
RB 4 Donny Groezinger (5-9, 185, so.)
SB 28 Kyle Gritsch (6-1, 205, jr.)
TE 88 Mitchell Boerm (6-5, 250, sr.)
WR 13 William Meredith (6-1, 185, sr.)
WR 5 Sam Markham (6-2, 170, so.)
LT 75 Yaqoob Ahmad (6-3, 260, sr.)
LG 60 Kyle Pepper (6-1, 275, sr.)
C 57 Josh Brunk (6-1, 265, jr.)
RG 56 Cole Tanner (6-2, 275, sr.)
RT 76 Cal Smith (6-4, 290, jr.)
DEFENSE
DE 22 Edwin Etienne (5-9, 240, sr.)
NG 91 Wes Wheat (5-11, 265, jr.)
DE 78 Corbin Blythe (6-2, 265, sr.)
OLB 19 Drew Carlson (6-1, 220, sr.)
ILB 31 Jessie Peterson (6-2, 220, sr.)
ILB 42 Sam Norgaard (6-1, 215, sr.)
OLB 48 Josh Scheible (5-9, 200, jr.)
CB 3 Tony Oros (5-9, 195, sr.)
SS 9 Tate Jensen (5-11, 200, jr.)
FS 20 Zach Matter (6-0, 200, sr.)
CB 25 Trevor Smith (5-9, 170, so.)
SPECIALTY
K 32 Aaron Marcellus (5-9, 205, sr.)
P 87 Cam Kiner (6-4, 215, so.)
PR 11 Zack Martinelli (5-8, 185, sr.)
KR 11 Zack Martinelli (5-8, 185, sr.)
LS-K 83 P.J. Norem (6-2, 225, jr.)
LS-P 33 Carson Remick (5-10, 205, jr.)
H 2 P.J. Carey (6-0, 160, jr.)
