The Central College football team was in need of a big play and the Dutch defense delivered.
Clinging to a 17-7 fourth-quarter lead, Central's offense was laboring and Benedictine University (Ill.) hammered out an energy-sapping 20-play, 78-yard drive to the Dutch 3-yard line. But the Dutch forced a 20-yard field goal try which was batted down by linebacker Nick Henry (senior, Solon) and scooped up by cornerback Eric Larson (senior, Waverly, Waverly-Shell Rock HS) who streaked 73 yards down the sidelines. One play later, receiver Brendon Boerm (senior, Tama, North Tama HS) was inserted at quarterback and scored on an 11-yard keeper. Suddenly, it was 24-7 instead of 17-10 and the Dutch went on to post a 31-7 season-opening triumph.
Central was opportunistic throughout the night, capitalizing on four Benedictine turnovers as well as the blocked kick.
"The defense did a great job of getting turnovers and we took advantage of penalties," coach Jeff McMartin said. "Those are two big parts of the game. And the blocked kick was obviously the biggest play of the game."
That allowed the Dutch to roll up a lopsided win despite getting outgained, 299 yards to 283. But they were hampered by the loss of quarterback Aaron Eiseler (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS), who was injured following an interception early in the second quarter and did not return.
That made for an early baptism for sophomore backup quarterback Noah Stochl (New Hampton), who made his first collegiate appearance. He completed four of 11 passes for 30 yards, but scored Central's final touchdown on a 3-yard run.
It wasn't an ideal time for a debut but McMartin thought Stochl displayed some poise.
"We gave him a lot of reps in the preseason," he said. "We felt like he and Riley Gray (sophomore, West Des moines, Waukee HS) and our other young quarterbacks are getting better. We had an opportunity to play Brendon Boerm, too, and he gives you a different look. They complement each other way. I thought Noah learned a lot, as you always do when you play. He'll continue to get better."
The game was still up for grabs when Stochl entered. Central was crisp on its opening drive, as running back Josh Osborn (senior, Burlington) fueled a seven-play, 67-yard possession that finished with his 3-yard TD run. But the second-quarter interception sparked Benedictine, which scored a play later on Ryan Keener's 17-yard dash.
Central took the lead for good when free safety Jacob Edleman (senior, Mechanicsville, North Cedar HS) raced 60 yards to the end zone on an interception return with 8:43 left in the second quarter it and six minutes later Kevin Sheldon (senior, West Des Moines, Valley HS) booted a 38-yard field goal to make it 17-7 at intermission.
Two third-quarter Central drives mustered just 10 yards and the Benedictine offense began showing signs of life. But the Eagles saw one drive end with a fumble at the Central 49 and then a march that consumed 10:06 was terminated with the blocked field goal.
"The defense just kept battling and kept them out of the end zone," McMartin said. "The best thing we did was we battled and stayed together as a football team. It's tough to win on the road and I thought we did a great job."
Central expanded its cushion on its final time-consuming possession, grinding out 14 plays for 64 yards to eat 7:55 off the clock as Stochl's score made it 31-7 with just 42 seconds left.
"I liked that drive," McMartin said. "It was well-called by coach (Reid) Evans and it was executed well."
Osborn finished with 116 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown before exiting in the fourth quarter.
"Josh looked good," McMartin said. "He looked like he was in mid-season form."
Boerm gained 31 yards on four rushes and running back Schyler Bardole (senior, Rippey, East Greene HS) ran for 26 yards on 12 attempts in his most extensive duty.
"Schyler had a great camp," McMartin said. "He's a senior and it's his time. It was nice to see him on the field."
Eiseler was 6-of-9 for 68 yards prior to his injury. Boerm had three catches for 42 yards and tight end Jack Norgaard (senior, Naperville, Ill., Neuqua Valley HS) had three receptions for 32 yards.
Strong safety Jaemin Powell (junior, Wellman, Mid-Prairie HS) made a game-high 12 tackles. Cornerback Tony Oros (sophomore, Aurora, Ill., West Aurora HS) had nine tackles, linebacker Jessie Peterson (sophomore, Coralville, Iowa City West HS) had eight stops and linebacker Jacob Tune (senior, Mesa, Ariz., Red Mountain HS) had seven.
Central makes its home debut next Saturday against Monmouth College (Ill.) in a 6 p.m. contest at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. It's the first home night game for the Dutch since 1976. Monmouth opened with a 30-20 home-field victory over Hope College (Mich.) Saturday.
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