An epic showdown between two rivals ended with a game winning play for the Central football team on November 9 th , as the Dutch outlasted seventh-ranked Wartburg 57-56 in overtime. It was the most points by two teams ever in a Central game and the program’s first win over the previously unbeaten Knights since 2016.

The Dutch had seemingly put the game in blowout mode with a 49-14 lead with 9:12 left in the third quarter when the momentum winds suddenly shifted. With every Central mistake, points and even first downs became more elusive. The Dutch seemingly limped into overtime tied 49-49. When Wartburg needed just two plays on its overtime possession to make it 56-49, fans sensed the upset dreams fading away. But the offense regrouped, pounding five straight running plays, capped off by a Hunter Robinson two-yard jet sweep touchdown. After calling a timeout, Central kept the offense on the field for one do-or-die play.

The win left the two teams tied atop the American Rivers Conference standings at 6-1 (both 8-1 overall) heading into the final week of the regular season. Central knocked off Coe 31-21 a week later to clinch the league’s automatic berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs.