PELLA — A late surge by the Central College football team faltered in a 13-7 loss to Coe College Saturday.
           
The two teams played a scoreless first half before a 63-yard rushing touchdown by Coe (8-2, 7-1 American Rivers Conference) got the scoring started. Another long rushing touchdown followed by a missed PAT gave them a 13-0 advantage with 8:16 remaining in the game.
           
Central (8-2, 6-2 conference) got on the board when quarterback Colin Kerndt (freshman, Pella) found Cody Klein (sophomore, Newton) for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 5:32 remaining.
           
The Dutch had two more chances to score after forcing a pair of Coe punts but Kerndt was intercepted on the 16-yardline on the first drive and then with nine seconds a fourth down pass fell incomplete to allow Coe to run the clock out.
           
"I felt like our team did a great job battling and being in the moment," Coach Jeff McMartin said. "They worked hard to win every play and when they play was over, they moved on to the next one."
           
Aside from the two long rushing touchdowns, Central's defense held the Coe offense in check for much of the day. Defensive tackle Trent Cakerice (sophomore, Grundy Center) had 14 tackles, including two solo sacks.
           
"Trent's a difference maker," McMartin said. "He's had a great season. He's somebody you can build your defensive line around next year."
           
Johnathan Weaver (senior, Lenox) added nine tackles. Derek Pacheco (senior, Littleton, Colo., ThunderRidge HS) had an interception that Cakerice tipped near the end of the first half but an Andrew Mohan (sophomore, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) field goal attempt went just wide.
           
Kerndt was 26 of 39 with the interception for 211 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate start. He also led the Dutch with 69 rushing yards on 20 attempts. Klein had a team-high six catches for 30 yards. Keegan Glover (senior, Benton, Ill.) had five catches for 47 yards and Nolan Meyer (senior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) had five catches for 44 yards.
           
"It's not an easy situation for him to come into," McMartin said. "He worked hard to make plays. There were some things he did well throwing the football and with his feet. He grew up a lot today and learned a lot. I was proud of his effort and demeanor."
           
Injuries were a major factor for the Dutch all season but especially today as five game one starters were not in uniform. Including starting quarterback Hunter Hoffman (senior, Pecatonica, Ill.), leading receiver Cam Schulte (junior, Pella) and leading tackler and middle linebacker Cole Clark (fifth year, Lisbon).
           
We've definitely had to evolve this year," McMartin said. "No one's happy with how this ended but I think we are all aware this team fought through a lot of challenges this year. For where we are as a team, I think we battled hard and had a chance."
           
While it appears Central will not qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships, the official bracket will not be announced until Sunday at 4 p.m.