The Central College football team opens the NCAA division III playoffs at home against Olivet of Michigan on Saturday.
The Dutch finished the regular season 10-0 and six of their wins were by a touchdown or less. Coach Jeff McMartin says while his team found ways to win the close games they should not be called lucky.
"You know, where someone would say, ‘Boy, a certain team is lucky,’ I would have to say that that’s not necessarily a fair statement for that team," McMartin says. "…Our guys have done everything we’ve asked them to do and when they’ve had opportunities to make plays they’ve stepped up and made them."
Central and Olivet had a common opponent this season. Both defeated Hope College. McMartin considers Olivet a "second half team" and he says in playoff football, you cannot go into a game hoping not to lose.
"We want to be aggressive. We want to go after it," he says. "…You have to say this is our one opportunity…Cut it all loose and have no regrets."