When 15 Central College football seniors decided to come back for a fifth season this fall, it was a day like today they had in mind.  The 8th-ranked Dutch will host #14 Bethel in the opening round of the Division III playoffs at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.

Central is 10-0 and champions of the American Rivers Conference, while the Royals are 8-2 and finished second place in the MIAC.  Both of their losses came to #5 St. John’s, including a one-point last-second loss in the conference championship game last Saturday.

The Dutch boast the number one offense in the country, and coach Jeff McMartin says that they’ll need to execute well on that side of the ball today.

“If we can protect well with our linemen, then good things can happen for us in the passing game.  I also think that there will be opportunities for us to run the football, I don’t think it’s going to be a pass on every down kind of game.  We have to take advantage of those opportunities and if we can get off to a good start in the running game that will be a real positive for us.”

Kickoff is scheduled for noon today at The Schip.  Trevor Castle and George Wares will call the action on 92.1 KRLS, beginning with a special one-hour pregame show this morning at 11:00.  Audio commentary will also be available with video at www.centraldutchnetwork.com.

REGULAR SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: