College Football: Central Favorited for ARC Crown

Pella — The Central College Dutch are the coaches’ choice to win the 2021 American Rivers Conference Football title.

Central was chosen first on eight ballots and earned 64 points to earn the No. 1 ranking.

Two years ago, the last time conference football was played, the Dutch split the title with Wartburg. The Knights garnered 56 points in the poll and received one first-place vote.

Dubuque debuts at No. 3 in the coaches’ poll, earning 47 points, and Coe picked up 43 points to put them at the No. 4 spot.

Simpson tallied 36 points to put them at the No. 5 spot and Loras picked up 31 points to earn sixth.

Nebraska Wesleyan, Luther, and Buena Vista finished seventh, eighth, and ninth, respectively.

Central is entering the season ranked No. 14 while Wartburg is entering ranked No. 18 in D3football.com’s Top 25 Preseason Poll.

The 2021 season kicks off on Saturday, September 4 with all nine members of the American Rivers Conference taking the field.