Central and Simpson will do battle today in Iowa Conference football action, as both teams try to stay in the thick of the league race.

The two teams have each followed the same loss-win-loss-win pattern to bring records of 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the IIAC into today’s game. The Storm shocked defending league champion Coe last week, while Central rallied for a runaway win over Nebraska Wesleyan. The Dutch will be starting a freshman at quarterback, as Blaine Hawkins gets the nod behind center after leading the comeback against the Prairie Wolves. Coach Jeff McMartin says that it’s been good for Hawkins to get more reps with the first team guys, because he’ll have his hands full today.

Simpson Head Coach Matt Jeter told KNIA/KRLS Sports, that despite last weeks big win over Coe and the historic rivalry between Simpson and Central, he is treating it like any other game and he doesn’t want his players to change they way they prepare. Kickoff from Bill Buxton Stadium in Indianola is scheduled for 1:00 this afternoon. Join Trevor Castle and Don DeWaard for the Central perspective on 92.1 KRLS, or Andrew Swadner and Rick Wilson for the Simpson side of things on AM 1320 / FM 95.3 KNIA. Pregame will start on both stations at 12:35.