PELLA—The 2024 Central College football season starts Saturday afternoon as the Dutch host Illinois Wesleyan University at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
           
After starting last season with a pair of non-conference road games, Central opens its season against Illinois Wesleyan University out of the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
           
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 preseason—An earlier start to the academic calendar coupled with the first Saturday in September falling on the latest possible day limited the preseason for the Dutch. Players arrived on campus with just four days of practice before the first day of class.
           
"We're fortunate that we have a lot of seniors on our team and a lot of good leaders," McMartin said. "They've stayed focused and been adaptable to what we had to do. We've done some things differently, but we've kept the mindset of doing what is best for our players and maximizing our opportunities with the time we do have."
           
Familiarity matters—These two programs met for the first time last year with Central winning 38-13 in Bloomington. Both teams return a large contingent with the Titans bringing back seven starters each on offense and nine on defense. The Dutch return seven starters to both sides of the ball.
           
"It's still the first game of the year and so many things could be new or different, but they do have a lot of players back, McMartin said.
           
"We know they are a good football team. We've seen them and have a sense of their size, their speed and little bit of how they plan to attack a game."
           
Coach—Central will have a pair of new coordinators on the sidelines this fall. Offensive coordinator Michael Chorowicz spent the 2023 season as the team's wide receivers coach after spending two years as a graduate assistant at Liberty University. Ben Hodges steps in at defensive coordinator after working at Murray State University (Ky.) for four years.
           
"The team has done a great job of buying in," McMartin said. "They've stayed together as a team. I think that helps a lot with the transition. They've understood what's best for our team and for our offense and defense. It's important for the success of our program long time for the team to buy into the things we're asking them to."
           
The Wonder Years – Central's roster features nine fifth-year student-athletes taking advantage of the extra season granted by the NCAA's waiver following the CoVID-affected season in the fall of 2020. Seven of the fifth-year players are starters. Logan Mont (Aurora, West Aurora HS) and Ryan Neu (West Des Moines, Valley HS) are starting at wide receiver. Tate Hagen (Britt, West Hancock HS) and Derek Mueller (Griswold) get the nod on the defensive line with Reece Miller (Center Point, Center Point-Urbana HS) at strong safety. Logan Sunvold (Monroe, Southeast Polk HS) will be the kicker, Austin Burns (Williamsburg) is the punter and Hunter Wilkinson (Jensen Beach, Fla.) will be the holder and return kicks.
           
Full House – Central enters the season with an active roster of 146 players, one of the largest in recent memory. A freshman class of 55 bolstered the 91 returning players from the 2023 season.
           
Family Ties – Once a regular tradition within Central's program, the Dutch took on an alumni team last week in an exhibition. It's the first time Central has hosted an alumni football game since 2014.
           
"We were fortunate to have that game," McMartin said. "It was a good trial run for what a game day is going to feel like at Schipper Stadium. It was a great opportunity for our players but also for alums.
           
Home Improvement—The Dutch lost their home opener last year for the first time since 2017 in a 19-11 defeat to Coe College. In McMartin's 20-year tenure, the Dutch are 13-7 all-time in the first home game.
           
Notes—The last time a team called the Titans played at Schipper Stadium was one of the most memorable games in program history. In the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division III playoffs, Central rallied from a 31-7 halftime deficit to beat the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh titans in overtime 38-37…Central has 20-7 all-time mark against CCIW opponents, including an 11-1 record at home. The only loss was a 38-7 defeat to Augustana College (Ill.) on September 4, 2004…
 
Central College probable starters
 
OFFENSE
QB       18        Hunter Hoffman (6-1, 170, jr.)              
RB       12        Keegan Glover (6-2, 180, jr.)                
TE        23        Grant Nelson (6-0, 220, sr.)      
WR      1          Logan Mont (5-8, 180, 5Y)                  
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       34        Sebastian Duarte (5-11, 260, 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 Fiderlein (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                             1 p.m.
Sept. 14            Cal Lutheran                Thousand Oaks, Calif.  1 p.m.+
Sept. 21            Wartburg                      Pella                             1 p.m.
Sept. 28            Buena Vista                 Storm Lake                  1 p.m.
Oct. 5               ^Simpson                       Pella                             1 p.m.
Oct. 12             Coe                              Cedar Rapids               1 p.m.
Oct. 19             Luther                          Pella                             1 p.m.
Oct. 26             Dubuque                      Dubuque                      1 p.m.
Nov. 2              Loras                           Pella                             1 p.m.
Nov. 16            Nebraska Wesleyan      Lincoln, Neb.               1 p.m.
+Pacific Daylight Time
^Homecoming