Photo by Dan Vander Beek for Central College

After a two-game run in last season’s NCAA Division III football playoffs, Central has earned a top-10 ranking in the Street & Smith College Football Yearbook, compiled by the staff of D3Football.com. Central checks into the poll at #10.

The Dutch finished 10-2 last season and won a share of the American Rivers Conference title. Central received the league’s automatic bid to the postseason by virtue of the head-to-head victory over co-champion Wartburg. In the playoffs, Central rallied to defeat UW-Oshkosh 38-37 inside Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. Central’s season came to a close the following week at Wheaton in the second round.

Seven starters return on each side of the ball, including quarterback Blaine Hawkins, the league’s reigning offensive player of the year. First-team defensive lineman Blade Durbala returns to lead the charge on that side of the ball.

Wartburg is the other conference school that received a spot in the rankings, as the Knights checked into the poll at #24. Central opens the 2020 campaign with a trip to Olivet College in Michigan on September 5th. Tune in to 92.1 KRLS to hear every Central football game this fall.