The Central College football team closed out a regular season for the ages with a 65-6 victory over Buena Vista Saturday in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.  It’s the 17th unbeaten record in program history, as the Dutch move to 10-0 and win the American Rivers Conference at 8-0.

It was a familiar script for Central, as Blaine Hawkins fired five first half touchdown passes and ran for another as the Dutch built a 49-0 halftime lead.  Hawkins was 29-of-43 on the day for 447 yards to wrap up a record setting regular season.  He threw for 2,825 yards in eight league games, a new ARC record, and his 3,422 yards was second best in Division III.  Hawkins’ 50 touchdown passes are the most in the NCAA, regardless of division, and he has thrown just two interceptions.

Central also wiped out the school and conference records for most yards and points in a season.  They finish the regular season with a best-in-the-nation 618.5 yards per game, and they’ll finish second in scoring to top-ranked North Central at 59 points per game.

The Dutch learned yesterday afternoon that they will be hosting Bethel of Minnesota in the opening round of the playoffs this Saturday at noon at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium in Pella.  You’ll be able to hear live coverage of all Central College postseason football on the home and away voice of the Dutch, 92.1 KRLS.

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