The Central College football team opens the 2016 season today in Spokane, Washington against 19th-ranked Whitworth.
The Dutch are coming off a 6-4 season a year ago, while the Pirates were 8-2 in the regular season and earned the third playoff berth in school history.
Chief concern today for Central is the explosive up-tempo Whitworth offense. Quarterback Ian Kolste threw for 2,810 yards last year with 19 touchdowns. Central Coach Jeff McMartin says that he’s a real weapon for the Pirates.
“He has a good arm and he makes good decisions. He looks off receivers very well and he extends plays – meaning that if something’s not there he’ll continue to get depth or run around in the pocket. He’ll do something to buy him some time to find a guy that’s open.”
Kolste’s top three receiving targets from last year are all back, as is their leading rusher, so McMartin says that it will be key to get stops.
On the other side of the ball, the Dutch will feature former defensive back Donny Groezinger at running back – in place of the injured Pat Gray. McMartin says that his big offensive line will need to control the line of scrimmage against a smaller, but fast, Pirate defense.
Kickoff is at 3:00 Iowa time from the Whitworth Pine Bowl. Our coverage starts with the PellaMotors.com Radio Pregame Show at 2:35 – with Trevor Castle, Don DeWaard and Harry Smith on the call on 92.1 KRLS.