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Photo by Central Athletics
























An epic showdown Saturday ended with a game winning play for the Central football team, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The 42-point Dutch football first-half explosion, answered by a furious 35-point Wartburg College second-half comeback, ended with a final play win in Central’s 57-56 overtime upset of the No. 7-ranked Knights.

It was the most points by two teams ever in a Central game and the program’s first win over previously unbeaten Wartburg since 2016, which leaves the teams tied atop the American Rivers Conference standings at 6-1 (both 8-1 overall) heading into the final week of the regular season. Central closes at Coe College in Cedar Rapids next Saturday with Wartburg playing host to Loras College. The league title and an NCAA Division III playoff berth ride on the outcome.

Highlights (with the call as heard on KRLS):

The Dutch had seemingly put the game in blowout mode with a 49-14 lead with 9:12 left in the third quarter when the momentum winds suddenly shifted. With every Central mistake, points and even first downs became more elusive. The Dutch seemingly limped into overtime tied 49-49 and when Wartburg needed just two plays on its overtime possession to make it 56-49, fans sense the upset dreams fading away.

The Dutch then pounded away with five straight running plays and Robinson raced in from the 2-yard line on a jet sweep to make it 56-55.

On the two point try, Quarterback Blaine Hawkins took the shotgun snap and fired a low pass to the sideline where Robinson was positioned behind two of the shifted linemen. He made the catch and muscled his way toward the goal line. His body never reached the end zone but he stretched the ball across as he fell, triggering a wild celebration at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.

Full audio highlight package, with the call from Trevor Castle and George Wares on 92.1 KRLS:

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