PELLA—Energized by the arrival of the largest freshman class in school history as well as the return of six American Rivers all-conference performers, coach Jeff McMartin sees last year's historic Central College football season as a springboard into 2022 and not a program peak.
           
To be sure, there are aspects of the 2021 season unlikely to soon be matched, as the Dutch roared to their record 32nd conference championship and 22nd NCAA Division III playoff berth. Central reached the national quarterfinals en route to the school's 17th undefeated regular-season campaign and a 12-1 overall season that left the Dutch record book in ruins as 62 new school marks were established. Blaine Hawkins capped arguably the most prolific career of any quarterback in the program's rich history by receiving the Gagliardi Trophy as Division III's outstanding player and McMartin became the first at Central to receive the AFCA Division III Coach of the Year Award. The AFCA Board of Trustees member has posted a glossy 140-43 (.765) career record and is among Division III's winningest active coaches with six league titles and six NCAA playoff berths.
           
Yet as McMartin enters his 19th season, the American Rivers Conference's longest-tenured coach has his eyes firmly fixed on what lies ahead.
           
"I think our staff and our players are really focused on this season, we're not looking back," McMartin said. "I think we're very focused on where we are. Yes, we lost some talented football players, but we have a lot of talented football players coming back. And the best we can do is to really focus on this season and this team and play to the strengths of the guys that we have. Our coaching staff has always held onto that mindset. I think we've played to our strengths better every year. We have a good identity. We know who we are on offense and defense. And we have people who fit that identity."
           
There are nine returning starters among the 42 letterwinners back, leaving the Dutch to identify six new starters on offense and seven on defense.

Quarterback
It's the most asked and most glaring question of the off-season: Who will follow Hawkins at quarterback? McMartin isn't ready to answer. It's seldom a seamless transition when replacing one of the program's all-time greats and the best in Division III. But while McMartin doesn't expect anyone to launch an immediate assault on Hawkins' records, he likes what he's seeing from his options.
           
"Obviously that's a position that's really paramount to finding answers for us," McMartin said.
           
Yet he's not sure when he'll make a decision.
           
"Well, it won't be on day one," he said. "But we're going to get through camp and everything we do is going to be working towards understanding where we're at offensively, who should be on the field and getting those players the appropriate amount of reps so that when we get into game one, they will feel comfortable and we will have a good feel for what we can ask them to do."
           
Rotating quarterbacks isn't ideal, McMartin said, but he doesn't completely rule it out.
           
"We've done that kind of thing in the past and if that's what we have to do or if that's what serves our offense the best, then great," he said. "But we're working to find a starting quarterback."
           
Because last year's Dutch typically put the game well out of reach by halftime, Brady Ketchum (sophomore, Mount Vernon) took more snaps than a typical back-up as a freshman. The numbers were encouraging as he completed 43 of 58 passes (.741) for 433 yards with one interception and seven touchdowns.
           
"He certainly was a beneficiary of the success of our offense last season," McMartin said. "Many seasons, your backup quarterback rarely sees the field at all."
           
Gavin Hierseman (sophomore, West Branch) saw time in a more limited role and  Cooper Downs (sophomore, Ames) emerged as a serious contender after transferring to Central for spring semester.
           
"They all went through the spring and competed," McMartin said. "They were able to get a lot of reps. Brady got a lot of experience last year. Cooper came in as a transfer but all of them have shown some good skill sets. They've learned our offense and they're going to get a lot of opportunities this fall."
           
Don't look for dramatic changes in the Dutch offense regardless of who takes the snaps. Ketchum, Downs and Hierseman are capable runners.
           
"I think they'll be able to work within our system," McMartin said. "We are not going to ask them to run the ball on every down or anything like that. But they've got to be athletic enough to use their feet."

Offensive line
Central returns a pair of all-conference performers in the offensive line. Left tackle Que Baker-McCaulay (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Tempe HS) and center Ian Den Herder (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Desert Ridge HS) were each second-team picks.
           
"We've got a good group of returners," McMartin said. "We've got size and athleticism and we're excited to see these guys come together as a unit. Que Baker-McCaulay is coming off a great season. Athletically and physically, he's done a great job for us since he moved over from defense. He's someone who really gives us good backside protection and does some really good things in both the running and passing game. And he's still improving each week."
           
Den Herder is entering his fourth year as a starter.
           
"He's just been very consistent," McMartin said. "He's got good size and ability and he's very steady as a snapper. He's a mainstay for us in the middle and someone that we're going to build our line around."
            There are openings at both guard positions but Evan Gray (senior, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) and Jacob Sharp (senior, Phoenix, Ariz., Phoenix Christian HS) both gained experience in reserve roles there last year.
           
"Evan Gray had to come back from injury but was able to play all of last season and had a really good spring," McMartin said. "Jacob Sharp has also had game experience and has done a good job."
           
Among those challenging are Carson Zitlow (sophomore, De Soto, Kan.), Tristan Loudin (senior, Houston, Texas, Legacy Prep Christian Academy), Kade Tippet (sophomore, Eldridge, North Scott HS), Evan Fink (sophomore, Waterloo, Ill.) and Curtis Chapel (sophomore, Houston, Minn.).
           
"All of those guys are going to continue to compete hard for playing time and potentially as starters," McMartin said. "We feel like we have good, competitive depth there."
           
Joining Baker-McCaulay at tackle are Tristan Hunt (junior, Britt, West Hancock HS), Trenton Reed (junior, Bussey, Twin Cedars HS) and Levi Janssen (sophomore, Sheffield, West Fork HS).
          
 "They all have good size and strength and now it's just a matter of getting some experience and finding that consistency play in and play out," McMartin said.
           
Rejoining the battle behind Den Herder at center is Bryce McCain (senior, Pella) who missed all of last season with injury and served as a student assistant coach.
           
"He's excited to be back," McMartin said.
           
Also at center is Trevor Orr (sophomore, Bloomington, Ill., West HS).

Tight ends/S backs
           
There's depth and experience at tight end and S back. Aaron Roelfs (5th-year, Ackley, AGWSR HS) and Billy Friis (5th-year, West Branch) both made appearances as starters while sophomore Grant Nelson (Pella) was the O'Donnell Award winner as the team's top freshman.
           
"The three of them have played a lot of football for us," McMartin said.
           
Nelson had 22 catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns while Friis had 13 receptions for 150 yards and four scores. Roelfs, who was limited to six games, had seven catches for 93 yards.
           
"Aaron Roelfs came back in the middle of the season from an injury and picked up right where he left off," McMartin said. "He's done a great job as a blocker, made some key catches, understands our offense and is very strong.
           
"Billy Friis really had a breakout year last year. He had some touchdown catches and has shown a lot of consistency. Aaron and Billy do a great job of helping lead the younger players.
           
"And Grant Nelson had a great freshman year. He's very versatile. You could put him in the backfield and you could put him at tight end. He catches the ball, he's a physical player, he's athletic and he's competitive."
           
Coffman moved from quarterback but McMartin said he has qualities that could make him shine at tight end.
           
"He's a big target and understands the offense," he said.
           
Other options are Kevin Boatner (senior, Slidell, La.), Nik Coble (sophomore, Crawfordsville, WACO HS) and Kaden Rhinehart (senior, Brooklyn, BGM HS).
           
"They're all going to continue to work to get playing time at tight end, S back and also on special teams," McMartin said. "They've spent another year in our system and have continued to improve."

Running back
The Dutch offense got a lift when running back Jason Hopp (5th-year, Earlham) opted to return for an additional season. A two-time second-team all-conference pick, he was also a third-team D3football.com all-region selection. He rushed for 966 yards on 155 carries with five touchdowns, averaging 80.5 yards per game and 6.2 per attempt. Hopp also caught 36 balls for 292 yards and five touchdowns, making a critical 13-yard grab on 4th-and-10 to set up the winning score in Central's 30-28 NCAA playoff walk-off win over Wheaton College (Ill.).
           
"We're excited that Jason Hopp has decided to return," McMartin said. "Jason had a great year last year and has improved each year. He's definitely one of the leaders on our team and someone we can count on."
           
  Isaiah Walk (senior, Buffalo Center, North Iowa HS) rushed for 446 yards on 87 carries with six TDs and also had five receptions for 64 yards.
           
"Isaiah made a lot of big plays for us last year," McMartin said. "He's very athletic, very strong and very talented. He really runs the ball hard."
           
Jordan Rusch (junior, Johnston) emerged in a reserve role with 178 yards and a TD on 39 carries.
           
"Jordan was a surprise last year for us," McMartin said. "He played a lot of football and made a lot of plays. He earned his playing time."
           
Also in the mix is Evan Kelly (junior, Griswold).
           
"He did a nice job last year and he could help on special teams as well," McMartin said.

Receivers
Last year's receiving corps is prominent in the Dutch record book but even after some major graduation hits, experience returns. Jeff Herbers (senior, Urbandale, Des Moines Christian HS) came up big in the playoff win over Wheaton with a school-record 16 catches. He had 77 receptions for the year for 1,151 yards, which ranks third in school history and ranked sixth in Division III with 16 touchdown catches. He received the Claussen Award as the team's most improved player.
           
"Each game he played, he made a more spectacular play and then the next week he did something even better yet," McMartin said. "And his performance against Wheaton in the playoffs was really key to our success."
           
Speedy junior Ryan Neu (West Des Moines, Valley HS) also grew steadier as the season progressed. He finished with 19 catches for 277 yards and six touchdowns.
           
"Ryan gained a ton of experience last year," McMartin said. "He took another step up and ended up starting for us against Wis.-Whitewater. He's got amazing speed and can be a big-play threat for us."
            Remarkably, Central put up its elite passing numbers last year largely without the help of one of its most talented receivers. As a freshman, Logan Mont (junior, Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) was Central's receptions leader in the two-game spring season with 17 catches, then had 14 catches for 170 yards and two touchdowns in the fall season opener at St. Olaf College (Minn.) but sustained a season-ending injury early in the fourth quarter.
           
"With his versatility as a pass catcher, as a blocker and as a runner, you can utilize him just about anywhere," McMartin said. "Quarterbacks go to him because he makes a lot of great catches and he's really consistent."
           
A lengthy rehab kept him sidelined last spring and he enters his third year at Central having appeared in just three games. But McMartin is confident Mont will be ready.
           
"He's on track," he said. "And there's nobody that will work harder or be more disciplined in their rehabilitation than Logan."
           
Others pressing for action include Jack Johnson (sophomore, Mount Pleasant) and Hunter Wilkinson (junior, Jensen Beach, Fla.).
           
"They'll all compete for playing time in the slot," McMartin said.
           
Joining Herbers on the outside are Warren Page (junior, Pella), Brendan Bogaard (sophomore, Phoenix, Ariz., Northwest Christian HS) and Nick Johnson (senior, Coralville, Iowa City West HS).
           
"We're going to need some of these guys to rise up and establish themselves," McMartin said.
           
Collin Swantz (sophomore, Mount Vernon), who moved from defensive back, Brody Bender (junior, Mount Pleasant), who switched from quarterback, and Lane Mueller (sophomore, Griswold) will compete with Neu.
           
"They maybe don't have a ton of game experience but they got a lot of reps in the spring and they really benefitted from our speed and strength program," McMartin said. "We're confident some good things will come out of this group."

Defensive line
There were some significant graduation losses up front and that area, along with quarterback, will most need preseason attention, McMartin said.
           
"We moved some players from other positions to give us some depth and some strength," he said.
           
Nose guard Tom Adolph (5th-year, Coralville, Iowa City West HS) opted to return, giving the Dutch a solid building block. Adolph had 24 stops, including 5.5 for loss and a pair of sacks.
           
"Tom gives us that rock in the middle with consistency and experience," McMartin said. "He's got good strength and size."
            McMartin is looking at Derrick Voss (senior, Cedar Rapids, Xavier HS) and Colby Svestka (junior, Johnston) at one defensive line spot. Voss had 21 tackles last year with three tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. Svestka made 10 stops.
           
"They are two players that have played a lot of football for us and have got some good experience," McMartin said.
           
Cooper Langfelt (sophomore, Tabor, Fremont-Mills HS) transferred to Central prior to spring semester.
           
"Cooper had a very good spring and is someone we feel can be ready to compete on the varsity level," McMartin said.
           
Cole Campbell (senior, Jefferson City, Mo.) moved over from the offensive line and joins Brock Jackson (sophomore, Runnells, Southeast Polk HS) in providing depth at nose guard. Meanwhile, Bobby Gens (senior, Ames) and transfer Aidan Nosek (sophomore, Mount Vernon) are competing at tackle.

Linebacker
Central's stud position, a hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end role, is also open but brings some experience. Hunter Olson (junior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) appeared in all 13 games and made eight tackles.
           
"Hunter played quite a bit of football for us," McMartin said.
             
David Bakol (senior, Houston, Texas, Alief Elsik HS), formerly known as David Tchomba, had a taste of action as well.
           
"He had a really good fall and is looking to make that next step," McMartin said.
           
Derek Mueller (junior, Griswold) moved to the stud spot from tight end and Niko Zarlatanes (junior, Taylor Ridge, Ill., Rock Ridge HS) switched from linebacker. They're joined by Andrew Bruno-Willis (sophomore, Adrian, Mo.).
           
"Those guys did a really good job in the spring and we feel like we're going to get some production out of them at this position," McMartin said.
           
At the middle linebacker, or Mike position, Tate Hagen (junior, Britt, West Hancock HS) is an early leader. He made 33 tackles, including 18 solos, along with a tackle for loss and an interception in a reserve role last year.
           
"Tate played a lot for us last year," McMartin said.
           
He's being challenged by Cael Fiderlein (sophomore, West Branch), who appeared in four games last season. Cole Clark (sophomore, Lisbon) transferred to Central prior to spring semester, and is also competing along with Tristan Wilson (junior, Paullina, South O'Brien HS) and Clayton Scott (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Prairie HS).
           
"Those guys are young, but they have athleticism and ability," McMartin said. "We feel like it's a good group and guys that can help us."
           
At the weakside, or Will linebacker position, Nathan Rahn (senior, Chadwick, Ill., Milledgeville HS) brings the most experience with 37 tackles last year, including 18 solos and three tackles for loss with one sack. He also had two pass breakups.
           
"He played a lot of football for us and did a great job," McMartin said.
           
Also returning is Colton Mayberry (junior, Glenwood), who made six tackles last year in a reserve role.
           
"He played quite a bit on special teams," McMartin said.
           
Eli Rose (sophomore, Grinnell) and Carson Boyer (senior, Milledgeville, Ill.), who moved from running back, are pressing for playing time as well.
           
At the other outside linebacker spot, known as the bandit position, Gregory Ricketts (senior, Rochelle, Ill., Rochelle Township HS) is expected to see action. He made five tackles last year.
           
"Greg was our starter until he was injured, which caused him to miss a lot of games last year, but he's back and looked good in the spring," McMartin said.
           
He's being challenged by Austin Burns (junior, Williamsburg), who has moved from defensive back after appearing in all 13 games, making 11 tackles.
           
Kyler Yarnell (sophomore, Lakewood, Colo., Green Mountain HS), Joe Jansen (sophomore, Pella), Kael Brandow (sophomore, Norwalk) and Reid Pakkebier (sophomore, Cedar Rapids, Kennedy HS) are also contenders. Pakkebier caught McMartin's eye last fall when he made 29 tackles, including 15 solos with 3.5 tackles for loss, as well as two pass breakups and a blocked kick.
           
"He's someone who can play at any one of the linebacker positions and compete for a starting position," McMartin said. "He didn't play in the spring due to his outstanding abilities as a track athlete, but he probably played the most of any freshman we had on defense last year. He's got great speed and great length."

Defensive back
Three of the four starters are back, including both safeties. Cameron Bannister (senior, State Center, West Marshall HS) is back at strong safety, where he received second-team all-conference recognition. He was Central's fourth-leading tackler last year and ranks second among the returnees with 67, including 28 solos and one for loss. He had three interceptions and six pass breakups. And Brody Klein (junior, Rainier, Wash.), last year's starting free safety, is the team's top returning tackler with 68, including 37 solos with 2.5 for loss, two interceptions, a pass breakup and a blocked kick.
           
"They could be two of the best defensive players in the conference," McMartin said. "Cam will be one of the quarterbacks back there for us. He's tremendously athletic and has amazing playmaking ability. Brody is our Swiss army knife. He can play safety, we can play him at outside linebacker or on special teams. He's got great speed and vision and makes a lot of plays."
            Reece Miller (junior, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) is also at safety and was a standout on special teams last year as well. He made 34 tackles last year with 19 solos. Cal Killian (junior, Johnston) transferred to Central in time for spring drills, joining Grant Boyse (senior, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS), Josh Dennison (sophomore, Romeoville, Ill.) and Caylor Clark (sophomore, Pleasantville). Boyse made 10 tackles, including eight solos while Dennison, also a long snapper, had four tackles.
           
"We feel like four or five of our safeties could be starters for us, which gives us some flexibility in what we do with people on the outside and gives us good depth," McMartin said. 
           
Benjamin Crist (senior, Elizabeth, Ill., River Ridge HS) is a returning starter at cornerback. He made 55 tackles, with 31 unassisted tackles and a tackle for loss along with five pass breakups.
           
"Ben does an outstanding job," McMartin said. "He really had to battle last year to earn that position and he did a tremendous job. He got better each week and we're excited to see him take the next step. He has really improved."
           
Dillon Hoit (senior, Solon) and Stevie Maddox, Jr. (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Tempe HS) also saw significant time. Hoit had 33 tackles, including 18 unassisted with a tackle for loss. Maddox had 20 stops, including eight solos, along with an interception.
           
"They had a lot of playing time last year," McMartin said.
           
Other options include Jack Haren (junior, Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS) and Austin Knaack (senior, Grundy Center), along with converted quarterback Cailun Griggs (sophomore, Thibodeaux, La., E.D. White HS).
           
"We feel like those guys can all contribute and compete for playing time," McMartin said.

Special teams
Logan Sunvold (junior, Monroe, Southeast Polk HS) was a first-team all-conference selection and received D3football.com second-team all-region honors as well. One of the region's most accurate kickers, Sunvold was 10-of-12 on field goals, including 5-of-5 from inside 30 yards. He converted a school-record 83 of 86 extra points. Meanwhile he averaged 55.6 yards on kickoffs and 22 of his 113 were touchbacks.
           
"Logan had a great season last year," McMartin said. "He's continued to improve and is building towards becoming an all-American. He's very consistent, has a big leg and is excellent on kickoffs. We've been blessed over the years at Central with great kickers and he's following that long tradition."
            Austin Burns (junior, Williamsburg) won the punting job last year and emerged as a second-team all-conference honoree, averaging 35.2 yards, with eight punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line.
           
"He gave us a lot of consistency," McMartin said.
           
McMartin is pondering numerous options in the return game. Bannister was the team leader in kickoff returns, averaging 22.2 yards on 10 returns while Neu averaged 19.5 on 10 returns. But there's little returning experience among punt returners. He also could look at Haren, Crist or any number of other receivers, running backs or safeties.
           
"They're all guys that, if we put them back there, would do a good job," McMartin said.

The freshmen
Capitalizing on its consistent success, powerful tradition and enhanced facilities following completion of the $18 million Forever Dutch initiative, a relentless recruiting effort by the Dutch coaching staff resulted in the largest freshman class in program history (68) as well as the largest squad.
           
"This is a place where players want to play and want to get an education," McMartin said. "The football program's values and the values of the college match up really well. That consistency makes a difference in recruiting. I credit our staff for doing a great job of working with our players and retaining them."
           
The newcomers are rich in playing potential as well, McMartin said. The impact could be immediate.
           
"We feel like there are going to be some guys that will rise through the ranks and be ready to play this year," McMartin said. "Their athleticism and their competitiveness are going to make us a better football team."
           
Every area of the team should get a boost.
           
"We've got some really good offensive linemen, defensive linemen and linebackers, and then you look at receivers, defensive backs and some very talented quarterbacks that are coming in," McMartin said. "Across the board, I think we brought in some people that will be really good."

The staff
After yet another record-breaking offensive season, highly regarded offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Ryan Maiuri was elevated to associate head coach. Meanwhile, former Lakeland University (Wis.) defensive coordinator Mitch Shepherd assumes that role at Central, replacing Nick Mulder, a former Dutch player who served on the staff for 10 seasons.  Tanner Schminke, an all-American wide receiver on last year's squad, also joined the staff and is working with defensive ends.
           
Yet the Dutch staff continues to be remarkably stable, with four assistants who have been at Central for eight years or longer. McMartin said the staff is a healthy blend of youth and experience.
           
"Every year you have to be ready for change with your coaching staff," he said. "That's inevitable at times, but we've also been really fortunate that we've retained our staff over the long haul and they've done great things here. We're excited about the new coaches we've added."

The season
Six of Central's 10 games, including the first three, are slated for Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. The Dutch get a return visit from St. Olaf College (Minn.) in the Sept. 3 opener, then meet the University of Wis.-Oshkosh for the second time ever on Sept. 10 before opening conference play with the first of eight league games.
           
Per usual, McMartin is only thinking about the next one. But he is convinced the pieces are in place for Central to be successful.
           
"This is as fast of a football team as we've had in the past 19 years," McMartin said. "If you look at the data, we've got speed. We can run and we can get places. And we've got depth with speed. So it's just getting them to play together."
           
But he knows how much other league schools have improved and also what it takes for talent to translate into victories.
           
"We want to continue to not hurt ourselves," he said. "Don't make a lot of mistakes and work to be sound at what we do."
           
None of last year's record 702 points carry over to this season.
           
"The only time I think about what's already happened is when people ask me about it," McMartin said. "I don't look back. We've gone through spring now and we see where we're at.
           
"We have a great opportunity in front of us. We have a great chance. We can be competitive in this conference."
           
The biggest carryover from last year's championship run is the foothold it provides in learning how to reach for new heights in the future.
           
"What we've gone through the last three years has given our players a solid idea of what it's going to take to compete on the national level," McMartin said. "What does that look like? As you take each step, what are you going to need to be able to do? What's going to be asked of you positionally, talent-wise and schematically? This program wants to continue to build on each year and we don't want to take a step back or take a dip, we want to continue to move forward."