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Tritons take long road trip

DODGE CITY, Kan. – Both Iowa Central and Dodge City are in search of a breakthrough win here Saturday.

The Tritons (0-1 overall) make the 570-mile trip southwest to take on the eighth-ranked (NJCAA Div. II) Conquistadors (0-1) at noon inside Memorial Stadium.

It’s the home opener for Dodge City, which dropped a surprising 26-16 setback at Highland a week ago. Iowa Central, meanwhile, dropped a 20-13 road decision to No. 14 College of DuPage.

”Week 1 to Week 2 is typically where you see the most growth, so we’re looking forward to getting better,” Twait said. ”This is a challenge. Dodge City was picked to be the No. 2 team in the (Kansas) Jayhawk Conference, and you know they’re going to be hungry (after last week’s setback).

”They have really solid linebackers who run well, including one going to Alabama (Gary Johnson) and another being looked at by a bunch of SEC schools.”

Iowa Central’s offense had two interceptions and a lost fumble in the DuPage setback. Quarterback Paul Campbell was 24 of 49 passing for 176 yards. Freeman Simmons rushed 17 times for 46 yards, while Campbell had 38 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

The Tritons fell behind 17-0 before fighting their way back.

”We got settled in as the game progressed,” Twait said. ”We had an interception returned 96 yards (for a score), which wound up really being the back breaker.

”Defensively, we hung in there. Giving up only 13 points to a ranked team was a positive start.”

Dodge City quarterback Caden Walters was 18 of 30 for 180 yards a week ago.

The Conquistadors captured a share of their first Jayhawk League title last season – the program’s first since 1983. They defeated Iowa Central last year, 27-7.

In 2014, the Tritons topped Dodge City inside Dodger Stadium, 31-21.

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