The Central College football team never trailed in a 38-21 win over the University of Dubuque on Senior Day Saturday at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.

In a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS, the Dutch built a 21-14 halftime lead thanks to a fourth-down 31-yard touchdown catch by Kyle Gritsch, a 9-yard Pat Gray run, and a 1-yard plunge by Gritsch.

John Alberts’ school record 14th field goal of the year got the scoring started in the second half, and with their lead trimmed to 24-21, Central pulled away on a pair of Blaine Hawkins touchdown passes – 10-yards to Donny Groezinger and 22-yards to Sam Markham.

Dutch coach Jeff McMartin says that it was a great way for the Dutch to finish the season, and for 31 seniors to finish their career.

“I’m happy for our kids, they did what they had to do. They took care of the ball, we didn’t turn the ball over. We played really, really hard. I’m happy for the seniors, what a great group of guys. It’s an unbelievable class and they finished the year off in a great way. They won their last four and did everything they could do.”

Central rolled up 458 yards of offense and limited Dubuque to just 301. Hawkins was 24-of-35 passing for 235 yards and three scores, and he led a balanced rushing attack with 60 yards. Gritsch had 9 catches for 115 yards, while Markham capped his record-breaking career with 6 grabs for 54 yards.

The Dutch finish the 2017 season with a 7-3 record and in solo second place in the Iowa Conference at 6-2.

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