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PELLA — Scoring 28 unanswered points in the second half pushed the Central College football team past the University of Dubuque Saturday for a 35-16 victory on Homecoming.
At the halftime break, Central (4-0, 2-0 American Rivers Conference) found itself in a 16-7 hole while being outgained by over 100 yards of total offense (265 to 141).
The Dutch started fast in the second half with Aidan Pollock's (junior, Pella) 38-yard kickoff return to the 48-yard line. Seven plays and 52 yards later, Quarterback Hunter Hoffman (senior, Pecatonica, Ill.) found wide receiver Nolan Meyer (senior, Bondurant, Bondurant-Farrar HS) for a 13-yard scoring pass.
Central would score on three of its remaining five drives of the second half while forcing four Dubuque turnovers and a pair of punts to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard and complete the 28-0 run. Dubuque had just 70 yards of offense in the second half
"That was a gutty, great win," coach Jeff McMartin said. "We were playing the play and being in the moment. We weren't thinking about the past or worrying about the future, our team was really in the now."
In the second half, senior safety Derek Pacheco (Littleton, Colo., ThunderRidge HS) had a fumble recovery and an interception while senior cornerbacks Ben DeMeulenaere (Chelsea, Belle Plaine HS) and Gavin Smith (Audubon) also had interceptions DeMeulenaere had a team-high nine tackles and also blocked an extra point attempt. Smith added three pass break-ups
"Our seniors and upper classmen really rose up and set a standard," coach Jeff McMartin said.
Hoffman finished with 20 completions on 30 pass attempts for 229 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. He also contributed 73 yards on the ground.
"I can't say enough about Hunter and how he's playing right now," McMartin said. "He's seeing the field well and making great decisions. He's playing with a lot of confidence but he's also executing."
Three of Hoffman's touchdown passes went to wide receiver Cam Schulte (junior, Pella), including two in the fourth quarter. Schulte finished with seven catches and 96 yards.
The Dutch travel to Loras College for a 1 p.m. game next Saturday