The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) has put two teams in the NCAA DIII Playoffs for the last three years. Wartburg has won the conference title and automatic bid three years running and Coe has earned an at large berth all three years. It is extremely difficult to earn an at large berth as in the 40-team field only 12 at large berths as given as 28 automatic qualifiers earn spots. With 240 total D3 teams nationally this is by far the largest college football division (almost double the size of D1 FBS).
Central College finished third in the A-R-C in 2025 and narrowly missed one of those precious at large berths. The Wartburg Knights have been the dominant leader in the A-R-C going undefeated again in conference play in 2025 and is again ranked in the top 10 range again this fall. Coe is ranked #23 Preseason.
It is shaping up to be one of the best seasons of football in the A-R-C, which is now an 8-team league (with Luther College moving to the Midwest Conference this fall).
The non-conference schedule for the league is the toughest ever – Wartburg faces Top 25 Monmouth, and the two teams who played in the D3 National Title Game – North Central and UW-River Falls.
Coe plays powerful WIAC teams UW-Oshkosh and defending national title winner UW-River Falls. Dubuque also plays powerful WIAC teams UW-Stout and UW-Platteville.
Buena Vista University:
Last season, the Beavers had a 3-7 record going 2-6 in conference play finishing seventh. Head Coach Austin Dickinson is heading into his fourth year looking to improve last season’s win total with fourteen of the twenty-two starters returning with seven of them being on the offense and the defense.
Standout players that are among the returners are Anthony Courtney, a 6’3’’ 350 lbs. Junior center who earned All-Conference honorable mention for leading the Beaver Oline to the lowest number of sacks given up in twelve leading the A-R-C.
Adriel Fussell who is another name to look for in 2026 for Buena Vista, the Senior 5’10’’ 225 lbs. Running back is looking to continue his successful 88 yard rushing yards per game tally to help propel the Beavers.
“We are excited to start another year in the A-R-C. It is a great conference that provides excellent football throughout the entire schedule. Our team looks forward to the 2026 season.” Coach Dickinson.
Central College:
Coach McMartin leads the way for the twenty-second season following the 8-2 record going 6-2 in conference play finishing third.
The Dutch are returning a WR Cam Schulte huge frame at 6’3’’ coming off a four-touchdowns last season with three in one game. Central is returning a total of nine starters with six on offense and three on defense; more importantly they return more than half of their offensive production.
Jace Grunder Senior RB is leading the back field for Central this season after earning a second-team All-Conference last year and having the most rushing touchdowns on the team with fourteen.
“This will be an exciting year in the American Rivers Conference. We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete.” Coach Jeff McMartin.
Coe College:
Leading the Kohawks in his eleventh season Coach Staker is coming off a 9–3 season, an American Rivers Conference runner-up finish and another trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs unfortunately falling to Bethel University (MN) in the second round.
Coe is returning six offensive starters and seven defensive starters from last season’s campaign. Senior defensive back Henry Ryan is one of the returning all-conference players to watch, while the Kohawks also bring back several other experienced defenders from last year’s playoff team.
The offense starts with senior quarterback Brady Kelly, who had a very good Junior year with 47 passing touchdowns to only 7 interceptions. The A-R-C coaches agree on recent poll; Coe was picked second in the 2026 preseason poll with 42 points, trailing only Wartburg’s 49.
“I am really excited for the upcoming season and another great year competing in the A-R-C. I am proud of the work our players and coaches have put in, and I am excited to see how we come together and build as a team during fall camp. The conference will be very competitive this fall, with many great players and coaches returning. We know we will be challenged each week, but that is what makes competing in the A-R-C so special. We are looking forward to the opportunity and are excited to get started.”
Coach Tyler Staker
University of Dubuque:
Head Coach Ryan Maiuri is entering his third season after finishing 4–6 overall and 4–4 in American Rivers Conference play in 2025 finishing fifth, the Spartans return one of the more experienced rosters in the league with eight offensive starters and six defensive starters returning.
Senior DB Etwood Williams is one of the team’s most important returning players who has already earned all-conference honors as a punt/kick returner and provides veteran leadership in the defensive backfield.
Junior QB Joey Rhomberg (Mt. Vernon HS, IA) is back on the roster after earning all-conference recognition with a completion percentage of 60 and 21 passing touchdowns for the Spartans, He also had a fantastic first year taking over the position with a td/int ratio of 22 to 5 in his sophomore season.
“Our team is excited to get back on the field this fall. We return an experienced core and have a talented group of newcomers ready to compete. The American Rivers Conference is one of the best in the country, and we look forward to embracing the challenge each week brings.”
Coach Ryan Maiuri
Loras College:
Newly hired Head Coach from St. John’s University Brandon Novak who was with the Johnny’s for 26 years coaching multiple different position groups and most recently being the full-time defensive coordinator in 2024 leading some stellar defensive teams. Last year Loras finished sixth in the conference with a 3-7 record overall and 3-6 in the conference play.
The Duhawks are returning 10 offensive starters and nine defensive starters from the year prior to bringing lots of needed experience for a fresh coaching staff. Loras returns several quarterbacks, including senior Jacob Richtman and senior Joey Helminiak having the bulk of the workload with Richtman playing in six games and Helminiak playing in five. That gives Head Coach Novak options for his style he wants to bring the Loras.
New staff that includes Jon Powers as offensive coordinator, Hayden Sanders as defensive coordinator, Erik Bjork as special team coordinator, and Marcus Dumervilas as game coordinator.
“It is an exciting time to be a part of Loras College! We are looking forward to seeing how our returners developed in the off season, and we are excited to introduce our new athletes to the program and the A-R-C! The 2026 season should be a splendid one. There has been plenty of excitement that has happened in the conference and in football over the past year, so it will be fun to see how everything plays out.” Coach Brandon Novak.
Nebraska Wesleyan University:
The Prairie Wolves are the second school in the American Rivers Conference with a first-year Head Coach in Jacob Donohoe coming over from Coe College where he was the QB’s coach and Offensive coordinator leading an explosive passing and running game.
Nebraska Wesleyan eight offensive and four defensive starters returning for 2026 give Coach Donohoe some much needed help in his first season. Senior WR Joey McLaughlin had a team leading 920 receiving yards last year and 9 touchdowns earning third team All-Conference.
Senior DL Dillon Moralez is a key returner for the Prairie Wolves who has produced for them for two years now with 11 TFl’s over those two years.
“I am excited to get the new chapter of Prairie Wolf football rolling. We have established a good foundation in our first spring, and I look forward to building on it this fall.”
Coach Jacob Donohoe
Simpson College:
Coach Reed Hoskins and the Storm are heading into the third year in charge with lots of offensive and defense returners following a 6-4 year overall and a 5-3 record in conference play.
The Storm are bringing back seven starters on defense and offense with more than 75% of their offense yardage and scoring from 2025.
Junior WR Noah Cracraft is one of the big three offensive stars returning who had eleven receiving touchdowns in his freshman season. Another star on offense returning is sophomore QB Jayden Thoreson, who had a great freshman year with twenty-one touchdown passes and multiple three hundred plus yard games throwing.
Junior RB Demarico Young is the A-R-C’s leading rusher from 2025 and team leading rusher in 2024 as a true freshman with 682 rushing yards.
“Our team is excited for the upcoming season! We have a great group of returners/newcomers and are looking forward to seeing all their hard work and dedication pay off this fall. The A-R-C schedule provides great competition every week and Storm Football will be ready for the challenge!”
Head Coach Reed Hoskins
Wartburg College
Chris Winter enters his sixth season as the head coach of the Knights and he has compiled a 53-8 record during his first five seasons. Wartburg returns eight offensive starters and six defensive starters. The Knights have become a perennial top 15 nationally each and every year in DIII.
Jake Walker, Conner McDonald, Dawson Rud, Cole Hotz, Sam Heither, Dylan Swanstrom, Jason O’Boyce, Braden Plotz, Cole Mahnke, Tyler Gayer, Drew Streb, and Austin Souhrada return this year to the field as 2025 all-conference performers.
“Our team is excited for the opportunity to get back on the field this fall. Our goal for the 2026 season is to be in a position to compete for an American Rivers Conference football championship. We have a hungry group ready to lead us through another difficult American Rivers Conference schedule, and we are looking forward to the challenge.”
Head Coach Chris Winter
This fall is going to be amazing to follow the A-R-C. As always, we appreciate your support and consideration.
