6 pack: Central QB Blaine Hawkins passes for 6 touchdowns in rout of Coe

CEDAR RAPIDS — Blaine Hawkins’ extraordinary season continues.

Central’s senior quarterback has produced gaudy statistics, powering Central to an unbeaten start and lifting the Dutch offense to the top of NCAA Division III.

Central’s high-powered offense was firing on all cylinders against Coe. Hawkins passed for 503 yards and six touchdowns before halftime and added a rushing score in the third in a 55-21 American Rivers Conference victory Saturday at Clark Field.

The Dutch remain in first place with a 4-0 ARC mark and improve to 6-0 overall. Coe drops to 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

“We have a good nucleus of guys,” Hawkins said. “Some are back for their fifth years. We’ve played a lot of football. We’ve improved each year. We were really excited for 2020 and that didn’t happen.

“We’re back and have this chance. We have a special group of talented guys and a lot of experience.”

Hawkins entered the game with 1,468 passing yards and almost eclipsed that average in the opening quarter, throwing for 224 of his total. He led the Dutch to touchdowns on their first six possessions. The only blip in the first half was the final drive that resulted in a missed field goal as time expired, keeping it 41-7 at the half.

Hawkins connected on scoring strikes of 33, 3, 7, 14, 26 and 5 yards.

“They have a really explosive offense,” Coe Coach Tyler Staker said. “I’ve been around very few quarterbacks that can see it as well as he sees it. Give credit where credit is due and tip your cap to Central for what they were able to do.”

Central has a strong and versatile receiving corps. Some extended the field. Others made possession catches along the sideline to move the chains. Receivers also produced strong runs after the catch to make big gains.

Tanner Schminke and Jeff Herbers came in as the Dutch’s leading receivers with more than 800 combined yards. Both had monster games. Schminke had 255 yards and three TDs on 12 catches. Herbers ended with nine catches for 138 yards. Seven receivers caught passes.

“We’ve been able to develop some chemistry there,” Hawkins said. “It puts pressure on me at times. Those guys are going to be open and make plays. It’s on me to get them the ball.

“I don’t want to overcomplicate it either. Find my best matchups and try to get them the best throw possible. I have a lot of confidence they will make the catch and run.”

Coe looked like it might hang with the Dutch’s fast pace. After Hawkins hit Erik Knaack for a 33-yard TD completion just 1:27 into the game, the Kohawks provided a quick response.

On the second play of the ensuing series, Coe quarterback Nick Casey hit a wide-open Dominic Shepardson, streaking down the middle of the field behind the secondary for a 67-yard strike that tied the game, 7-7, with 13:10 left in the first quarter.

Coe added fourth-quarter TD runs from Ray Seidel and Chance Newton.