DUBUQUE — A steadily improving Central College football team was in control from the beginning of the game in a 40-28 win at Loras College Saturday.
Receiving the ball on the opening kickoff, Central (5-3, 3-2 American Rivers Conference), embarked on a 17-play, 70-yard drive that ended in a 21-yard field goal by
Andrew Mohan (junior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS). The Dutch converted on third down four times, including a 3rd and 12 from near midfield.
"We told our players that every time we run a play it's a good thing," coach
Jeff McMartin said. "The longer we can stay on the field and turn those into scoring drives the better. Those are things we want to have happen."
The Dutch went on to score the first 34 points of the game, before Loras rallied late in the second half, scoring a trio of fourth quarter touchdowns.
"They were able to get some momentum and get things rolling," McMartin said. "When you have a team that's fairly young, you have to continue to teach the entire game and hope they step up in those moments and get things shut off."
Cody Klein (junior, Newton) scored three touchdowns, including a 47-yard catch and run and 58-yard run on the first offensive play of the second quarter. Quarterback
Brett Connolly (sophomore, Plainfield, Ill., Oswego HS) also connected with
Jase Grunder (senior, Tampico, Ill., Prophetstown HS) for a 10-yard touchdown catch with 14 seconds left in the first half.
"For two weeks straight now, we've scored right at the end of the half and then come back out and scored right away in the second half," McMartin said. "Give our defense credit, they got a stop and we went right back out and scored."
Connolly completed 13 of 20 passes with three touchdowns and one interception. Quarterback
Gentry Dumont (junior, Solon, Regina Catholic HS) led the team in rushing with 101 yards on 11 carries.
"Gentry is a big body," McMartin said. "He's strong and physical. It's such a good thing to have Gentry with the skill set he has and Brett with the skill set he has. Coach Chorowicz has done a really good job using them both in different moments."
Linebackers
Clay Saak (junior Grundy Center) and
Brecken Ritzert (freshman, Pella, Pella Christian HS) both had second quarter interceptions to go with nine and eight tackles, respectively. Saak's interception set up a Mohan 34-yard field goal while Ritzert's pick was five plays before the Grunder touchdown catch at the end of the half.
Central travels to Loras College next Saturday for a 1 p.m. game.
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