It’s time for the home stretch of the 2023 season for the Central College football team, starting today with a home contest against Nebraska Wesleyan.

The Dutch are coming off of their bye week with a 5-1 overall record and 3-1 mark in the American Rivers Conference, and they would earn at least a share of the league title with victories in their final four games of the season.

While the offense has struggled with inconsistency this season, the defense has been a bright spot, making major improvements from a disappointing 2022 campaign. Defensive Coordinator Mitch Shepherd, now in his second season with the team, says that there are several factors for the leap.

“Our guys are bought into our identity, bought into our culture and they know their roles, which I think it hugely important. They understand what to expect going into each game, and we’ve been a really disciplined unit. Our guys know their jobs and they’re executing at a high level. I’m proud of the steps we’ve taken compared to last year.”

Nebraska Wesleyan comes into today’s matchup at 4-3 overall and 2-3 in the ARC. Interestingly, each team’s last four games have been against the same four teams in the exact same order – Coe, Luther, Dubuque, Loras. Central has gone 3-1 in that stretch while the Prairie Wolves are 1-3.

Today’s game will kickoff at 1:00 at Ron & Joyce Schipper Stadium in Pella. Trevor Castle and George Wares will call the action live on 92.1 KRLS and the Central Dutch Network, beginning with pregame at 12:35.