PELLA — It's going to be a battle of strengths when the Central College football team and its stingy defense travel to face the University of Dubuque's high-octane passing offense Saturday.
           
Central (5-2, 3-2 American Rivers Conference) has won three in a row against Dubuque (3-3, 3-1 conference) and five of the last six.
           
On the air and online—The Voice of the Dutch, Trevor Castle, calls the action on KRLS-FM (92.1), with Pella Mayor and former defensive coordinator Don De Waard. providing the color. The KRLS pregame show will air at 12:35 p.m. The broadcast can 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.
           
The Spartans— Dubuque (3-3, 3-1 conference) has used four different quarterbacks, but primarily have split between senior Ben Gultig and Joey Rhomberg. The Spartans are fourth nationally with 331.5 yards per game through the air. Ryan Maiuri is a first-year head coach for Dubuque after spending nine years as the offensive coordinator for Central.
           
"You see a lot of concepts and philosophy that is similar to what he did when he was here," coach Jeff McMatin said. "They've got some great weapons and depth at quarterback. They've got talent and are well coached and when you put those things together, you're going to score some points."
           
Defensively, the Spartans have allowed 30+ points three times, including 42 last week to Loras College. They are capable of big plays on defensive with a conference leading three touchdowns by the defensive unit.
           
Masters of the Air – The Dutch passing defense, which is No. 17 nationally by allowing just 138.3 yards allowed through the air per game, will face its stiffest test. The Dutch have seven total interceptions and 34 pass break-ups. Central has only allowed 10 passing plays of 20 or more yards on 224 total pass attempts against.
           
Defensive backs Ben DeMeulenaere (junior, Chelsea, Belle Plaine HS) and Reece Miller (fifth year, Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) each have two interceptions while Gavin Smith (junior, Audubon) leads the team with eight break-ups.
 
No Plays Off – Central's leading tackler this year through six games is senior captain and middle linebacker Cael Fiderlein (senior, West Branch). He's been a part of 61 tackles this season, including 3.0 tackles for loss. He matched a school record for forced fumbles in a game last year against Nebraska Wesleyan University with two. He's also picked off a pair of passes and recovered a fumble in his career.
           
"Cael sets a great standard for how hard you have to play on every day," McMartin said. He's a very physical player and he's bringing out the best in everybody. We're a better defense with him on the field. Our defense does more than rally around him, they feed off his energy and mindset."
           
Running with the Dutch  – The rushing attack of the Dutch bounced back against Luther with 324 yards. Of Central's 76 offensive snaps against the Norse, 55 were rushes.  With its comfortable second half lead, 11 different players got carries. Starter Jase Grunder (sophomore, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS) had 76 yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts. Freshmen Cody Klein (Newton) and Eli Rouse (Madrid, Ballard HS) chipped in with 57 and 49 yards each.
           
"It's nice that each player can put their own personality on it," McMartin said. "They're each going to run it a little different. Our biggest thing is for them to use their leverage and their tools and then trust the reads."
           
This season, five different Central players have at least 20 rushing attempts. Grunder has 566 yards on 101 attempts for 10 touchdowns to lead the team in all three categories.
           
JV team moves to 3-0 — A missed field goal by Iowa Central Community College as time expired Monday let the Dutch JV team hang on to a 14-13 win. The Tritons kicker had made his first attempt but not before a Central timeout iced him.
           
Brayden Ruskey (sophomore, Solon) found wide receiver Kelton Youngberg (sophomore, Davenport, West HS) for a 13-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the second time the tandem has connected for a score in a JV game. Ricardo Portillo (junior, El Paso, Texas, El Dorado HS) hit Tyler Fiala (sophomore, Kansas City, Mo., Blue Springs HS) down the sideline for a 35-yard touchdown pass to take the 14-13 lead with less than two minutes to go.
           
Notes— Central is 61-21-2 in all contests against Dubuque…Starting defensive end Nick Bandy (senior, Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic HS) is playing in his home city for the third time in his college career…Saturday will be the third time Central has played Dubuque on October 26. In 1963, the teams played to a scoreless tie in Pella. Dubuque won at home 19-14 in 1968
 
Central College probable starters
 
OFFENSE
QB       6          Brady Ketchum (6-0, 195, sr.)
RB       31        Jase Grunder (5-7, 170, so.)                  
TE        23        Grant Nelson (6-0, 220, sr.)      
HB       12        Keegan Glover (6-2, 180, jr.)    
WR      80        Cam Schulte (6-3, 215, so.)                  
WR      13        Ryan Neu (6-0, 180, 5Y)                                  
LT        72        Tyler Harms (6-3, 270, jr.)                   
LG       71        Carson Zitlow (6-1, 275, sr.)                
C          70        Maximus Reitano (6-2, 295, jr.)            
RG       66        Levi Janssen (6-4, 290, sr.)                   
RT       51        Kade Tippet (6-2, 270, sr.)                   
 
DEFENSE      
DL       42        Derek Mueller (6-2, 230, 5Y)               
DL       33        Ethan Thomas (6-3, 250, jr.)
DL       15        Tate Hagen (6-0, 235, 5Y)                   
DL       2          Nick Bandy (6-2, 225, sr.)        
LB       30        Reid Pakkebier (6-2, 210, sr.)               
LB       32        Cole Clark (5-11, 225, jr.)        
LB       51        Cael Fiderlerin (5-11, 220, sr.)             
CB       5          Ben DeMeulenaere (6-4, 205, jr.)         
SS        4          Reece Miller (5-10, 190. 5Y)                
FS        1          Gavin Hierseman (6-2, 200, sr.)            
CB       21        Gavin Smith (6-0, 185, jr.)                   
 
SPECIALTY
K/PK    26        Logan Sunvold (5-10, 190, 5Y)             
P            3        Austin Burns (5-11, 200, 5Y)               
Ret.      19        Hunter Wilkinson (5-9, 180, 5Y)                       
LS        25        Josh Dennison (5-11, 200, sr.)                                      
H         19        Hunter Wilkinson (5-9, 180, 5Y)
 
2024 schedule
Sept. 7              Illinois Wesleyan          Pella                             W, 49-14
Sept. 14            Cal Lutheran                Thousand Oaks, Calif.  W, 35-10
Sept. 21            Wartburg                      Pella                             L, 10-6
Sept. 28            Buena Vista                 Storm Lake                  W, 52-0
Oct. 5               Simpson                       Pella                             W, 59-14
Homecoming
Oct. 12             Coe                              Cedar Rapids               L, 16-13 (2OT)
Oct. 19             Luther                          Pella                             W, 56-3
Oct. 26             Dubuque                      Dubuque                      1 p.m.
Nov. 2              Loras                           Pella                             1 p.m.
Nov. 16            Nebraska Wesleyan      Lincoln, Neb.               1 p.m.