PELLA— In the final home game on the schedule, the Central College football team welcomes Loras College to Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium Saturday.
Central (6-2, 4-2 American Rivers) takes on a Loras (1-6, 1-4 conference) team that had a bye week after losing to Dubuque 49-42 on October 19.
On the air and online—The Voice of the Dutch, Trevor Castle, calls the action on KRLS-FM (92.1), with Dutch softball coach George Wares 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. A live stream is available on the Central Dutch Network app or at
https://www.centraldutchnetwork.com/centraldutchsports/
The Duhawks — Loras started the season 0-5 but its biggest loss might have been starting quarterback Evan England who was injured in the second game and has not played since. England was an all-conference pick in 2022 and honorable mention in 2023.
Three other quarterbacks had opportunities to take the starting job over before giving the reins to Joey Helminiak for most of the season. He's thrown for 1,003 yards and 10 touchdowns.
"They went through a few games where they had to work out who was going to be that quarterback," coach
Jeff McMartin said. "They player they've settled on has gotten better every week, you can see the improvement on film."
Sophomore wide receiver Brock Couch has a team-high four touchdown catches.
"He had a really big game against Dubuque," McMartin said. "He made a lot of big plays in critical situations."
The loss to Dubuque was the fourth time the Loras defense has given up 40 or more points in a game. But the loss to the Spartans was also the third time Loras lost a one-score game at home.
"Their defense is going to give you a lot of different looks in terms of fronts and coverages," McMartin said. "They'll bring a lot of pressure so we're going to have to be able to handle that well."
Special teams providing advantage – Dutch Punter
Austin Burns (fifth year, Williamsburg) has been called on 29 times and seven times he's pinned the opponent inside their own 20-yard line and has twice punted over 50 yards while averaging 39.8 yards per attempt
Central is 5-5 on field goals and 41-41 on extra point attempts. Fifth year
Logan Sunvold (Monroe, Southeast Polk HS) is responsible for three field goals and 31 of the PATs. Freshman
Andrew Mohan (Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) was responsible for the remainder.
"We've played really good special teams all year in most places," McMartin said. "
Austin Burns has had an amazing year as a punter. He's as good as there is out there. Logan and Andrew have both been amazing as far as the depth and height of their kickoff. We've been rock solid on field goals and extra points."
Seniors say goodbye to Schipper Stadium – There are 32 seniors and fifth years on the Dutch roster that are set to be recognized as part of the Senior Day ceremonies at halftime. The traditional final regular season home game of the year is also a time for the graduating players to reflect on their experience.
"I meet with the seniors every Friday after practice to talk about how the week has gone and where they're at," McMartin said. "One of the things they've wanted to focus on is being good for the underclassmen. They want to show them how to practice and compete in the right way. They want to leave this place better for them and that's very servant hearted."
Central outlasts Simpson in JV contest – A fourth-quarter touchdown pass vaulted Central in front of Simpson for a 28-25 win in junior varsity action Monday night.
The Dutch are now 4-0 after another narrow victory.
Brayden Ruskey's (sophomore, Solon) second TD pass of the night was a 31-yard catch and run to
Nolan Meyer (junior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) with less than nine minutes to go.
Ruskey also found tight end
Joshua Volcin (freshman, Port St. Lucie, Fla., Tradition Prep) from 12 yards out in the first half.
Kaden Abbas (freshman, Ackley, AGWSR HS) had a 56-yard rushing touchdown and
Caden Chapman (freshman, Milford, Okoboji HS), scored on a one-yard plunge earlier in the game.
Notes— Central is 36-8-1 in all contests against Loras…Loras quarterback Joey Helminiak is the son of Loras head coach Steven Helminiak…Central fell 38-35 to Loras the last time the Duhawks came to Pella. It was just the second Loras win in Pella since World War II…
Central College probable starters
OFFENSE
QB 6
Brady Ketchum (5-10, 165, 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 W, 38-21
Nov. 2 Loras Pella 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 Nebraska Wesleyan Lincoln, Neb. 1 p.m.
