Matt VerMeer Nov. 15, 2008

Central unable to complete another comeback

PELLA—Yet another fourth-quarter Central College rally forced an overtime but Simpson College emerged with a 24-17 Iowa Conference football win on a frigid Saturday at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. Simpson’s Nick Burden raced down the sideline with a 25-yard TD pass from Tyson Unkrich to give the Storm the overtime lead. Then Simpson linebacker Tim Stover ended the season finale for both clubs with an interception on Central’s second play of the extra period.  

That let the Storm grab a share of third place in the Iowa Conference at 5-3 (7-3 overall). Central clawed its way through an injury-ravaged season to finish 6-4 overall and 4-4 in league play. It was Simpson’s first win over the Dutch since 2003 and only its sixth since 1956.

Trailing 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, Central quarterback Zack Bandow (sophomore, Manilla, IKM HS) completed three passes on a four-play, 53-yard drive, hitting Cam Waugh (senior, Fort Collins, Colo., Loveland HS) on an 11-yard TD pass with 12:55 left to make it 17-14.

Simpson, contending with a stiff northwest wind in the fourth quarter, threatened to answer but had two drives stall in Central territory. The Dutch came back and advanced to the Simpson 10-yard line with 1:50 left, converting on a key third-and-22 play with a 22-yard Bandow strike to Matt VerMeer (senior, Montezuma) that kept the drive alive. Kicker Jake Viggers (sophomore, Altoona, Southeast Polk HS) then drilled a game-tying 27-yard field goal.

“We know Jake is always going to make the play,” coach Jeff McMartin said. “He’s been there and he’s done it for us before. I’m proud of him and what he’s done for us.”

Defensive back Jake Petersen (freshman, Gladbrook, Gladbrook-Reinbeck HS) intercepted a Simpson pass at the Central 42, giving the Dutch a chance to win in regulation but Bandow’s pass in the closing seconds was intercepted.

Much like in Central’s 23-14 win at Buena Vista Univ. last week, the wind was a major factor in Saturday’s contest. The Dutch broke on top in the first quarter with the wind at their backs, as quarterback Jarred Lackey (sophomore, Somerton, Ariz., Cibola HS) ran it in from the 4. But Central yielded a big blow as the first half closed as Simpson drove 84 yards in the final minute, getting the game-tying score on a 23-yard Unkrich pass to Nick Burden.

Cole HendersonSimpson had the wind in the third quarter and got another Unkrich scoring pass, then completed a 74-yard drive early in the fourth quarter with a 20-yard James Gale field goal for a 17-7 lead before Central again battled back.

“Throughout the year these guys never quit and that’s something that will bode well for them in the future,” McMartin said. “It was a defining characteristic for this team. They really overcame a lot of challenges.”

Simpson outgained Central 414-250 yards, getting 235 yards on the ground, including 127 from senior running back Adam Reutzel, the school’s career rushing leader. Unkrich, the quarterback, rushed for 110 yards on 17 carries while passing for 179 yards and three scores.

The Dutch had to play most of the second half without Lackey after he sustained an injury. He was Central’s leading rusher with 61 yards on 11 carries. Bandow completed 15 of 29 passes for 157 yards with two interceptions and one touchdown.  VerMeer closed a strong senior season with five catches for 81 yards while his classmate Waugh had four grabs for 28 yards and a touchdown. Waugh also had a 21-yard punt return and returned two kicks for 49 yards.

Freshman linebacker Nate Doeden (Newton) continued his late-season surge, earning a starting spot and leading Central with 14 tackles, including eight solos. Another rookie, defensive back Ryan Schmidt (Keswick, Tri-County HS), had 11 stops while defensive lineman J.J. Owens (senior, Traer, North Tama HS) closed his Central career with nine tackles.

After winning three straight league titles, Central had to replace 16 starters, then endured a series of injuries to key players, including several season-ending injuries. That the Dutch emerged with their 47th winning season since 1960 is a source of pride for McMartin, who was holds the team’s 18 seniors in high regard.

“This senior class can really hold their heads high,” he said. “They played great and they always gave great effort. These guys were gritty, they were gutty and they were hard-working. They’re going to accomplish a lot beyond football and they’re going to be successful.”