Number 20 Wartburg is in Pella today to take on 24th-ranked Central College in a battle of American Rivers Conference football powers.

Since 1980, the two schools have won or shared the conference championship in 32 seasons, and they’ve been the only two to win the title since 2017, with Central as the current defending champs.

The Dutch are 3-1 in this season and 1-1 in league play, while the Knights have been dominant in posting a 5-0 mark and 3-0 start in the ARC. Defense has been their calling card, as Wartburg has allowed just 10 points in five games. Central coach Jeff McMartin says that there are several keys that will dictate the success of his offense this afternoon.

“How well does our offensive line play? Can our offensive line keep their pressure to a minimum? Can we run plays that will reduce our need to block for a long time? How well does our quarterback make decisions, and then based on those decisions, can we get the ball to the people that need to have the football?”

Sophomore Cooper Downs will make his first collegiate start today for the Dutch. He was elevated on the depth chart after a five touchdown performance in just one quarter off the bench in last week’s 58-0 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. Wartburg thumped Loras, who beat Central three weeks ago, 42-3 last Saturday.

Kickoff is today at 1:00 at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium in Pella. Trevor Castle and George Wares will call the action live on 92.1 KRLS, the free KNIA/KRLS app and www.CentralDutchNetwork.com, beginning with pregame at 12:35.