LINCOLN, NEBRASKA—Central College use a 21-point third quarter to roll up a 37-19 football victory at Nebraska Wesleyan University Saturday.
           
It was the last official game of the spring mini-season and leaves the Dutch 2-0 heading into next Saturday's season-ending scrimmage with Buena Vista University.
           
Central led by as many as 24 points in the second half, but coach Jeff McMartin cited an early play as a game-changer. Nebraska Wesleyan broke on top with a 20-yard scoring pass at the 7:26 mark of the first quarter but the Dutch blocked the extra point and it bounced into the hands of cornerback Benjamin Crist (sophomore, Elizabeth, Ill., River Ridge HS) who raced the length of the field to cut the advantage to 6-2. Crist, who also nabbed his first career interception, is the first player in Central history to notch the unorthodox two-point score.
           
"The blocked extra point was really big from a momentum standpoint," McMartin said. "It's interesting, those things really matter, you know, not only did you stop a point but you scored. Then you score a touchdown and it's a three-point game and you don't even have to worry about going for two."
           
American Rivers all-conference quarterback Blaine Hawkins (senior, Ankeny) operated with his usual efficiency, completing 22 of 33 passes for 252 yards and two scores, while also running for a touchdown.
           
"Offensively, there were times we were just clicking on all cylinders," McMartin said. "There were just a few things that slowed us up but we'll get better from that and I thought we executed really well. Our offensive line got more experience and did a very good job and I was really happy with our protections."
           
Junior wide receiver Hayden Vroom (Pella, Pella Christian HS) had six catches for 67 yards while freshman Logan Mont (Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) made nine receptions for 85 yards and a score. Senior wide receiver Erik Knaack (Reinbeck, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) had four catches for 74 yards.
           
The Dutch rushed for 225 yards with Mont carrying six times for 61 yards and a TD while running back Isaiah Walk (sophomore, Buffalo Center, North Iowa HS) churned out 58 yards on 14 carries.
           
"I thought our running backs ran the ball really hard," McMartin said. "Isaiah Walk, especially in the third quarter, just wouldn't go down."
           
Nebraska Wesleyan completed 27 of 50 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns but limited the Prairie Wolves to 57 rushing yards on 29 carries.
           
"I thought our defense did a great job," McMartin said. "We got some big stops and we did good things on special teams, too. We kicked it off really well and our coverage was good."
           
Free safety Brayden Egli (junior, Saint Charles, Interstate 35 HS) had 10 tackles. Defensive end Cody Wonderlich (senior, Pleasant Hill, Southeast Polk HS) and freshman linebacker Josh Van Gysel (Anthem, Ariz., Boulder Creek HS) each had seven stops. Defensive lineman Blade Durbala (senior, Blairstown, Benton HS) had 1.0 sack.
           
After taking a 16-6 first-quarter lead, Central saw the margin dwindle to 16-13 at intermission before breaking the game open in the third quarter. Nebraska Wesleyan got its final points with just 31 seconds left in the game.
           
The scrimmage with Buena Vista starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. No statistics will be kept. But McMartin said it will be a beneficial outing for the Dutch.
           
"We're going to take a look at a lot of our younger guys and guys who didn't get a lot of reps today," he said. "We'll really work to continue to build depth and continue to improve."
           
While many of the Dutch seniors will take advantage of the NCAA's offer of an additional season of eligibility and return in the fall, McMartin said the team will honor those that are completing their collegiate careers this spring.
           
"We want to send them off the right way," he said. "Let them play one more time in front of the fans on the Central field."
           
McMartin also saluted his squad for getting through the spring season COVID-free.
           
"I'm really proud of this football team," he said. "We've been tested every week and we've not had one guy test positive this spring. It shows these guys try to do the right thing. They care about each other enough to be smart and to make good choices to stay on the field.
           
"I also want to credit our athletic training staff. They've done a really good job of keeping our guys educated and doing all that testing. That takes a lot of time out of their schedule and I appreciate all the hard work they do to help us get through the spring."