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Colby Kratch is ready to see what his Iowa Central football team can do on the field.
Kratch begins his first season leading the 15th-ranked Tritons here on Saturday when they host No. 13 Butler.
Kickoff is set for noon.
Kratch was hired during the offseason to replace Jesse Montalto, who led Iowa Central (0-0 overall) to eight consecutive bowl game victories. A former assistant at Iowa State under Matt Campbell, Kratch played at the junior college level before finishing his college career at Toledo.
"This is going to be a really good Week 1 test," Kratch said. "I know it is very cliché to say, but we want to see our biggest growth as a team from Week 1 to Week 2."
The Tritons won eight games a year ago and return a number of key contributors, led by top rusher Ethan Johnson. The sophomore ran for almost 700 yards and five touchdowns on just 91 carries.
Zavian Chones-Ashmore, Moustafa Daoud, Michael Smith II, Marcellus Chandler, Kamare Williams and Sencerre Brown are others back on offense while returning All-American Ahmad Grayer anchors the defense.
Chandler had over 800 all-purpose yards last season, scoring seven touchdowns, as Williams ranked first on the team with 513 yards receiving and second with 27 receptions and five scores.
Grayer recorded 58 tackles, picking off four passes and breaking up four others. Both Michael Lane and Batpiny Riak are back after making over 20 tackles each.
"We are excited to showcase what the guys have been working on since I got here in February," Kratch said. "We are excited to put a product out there that everybody is proud of."
Butler (0-0) went 7-3 a season ago, posting a 4-2 mark in the Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference. That included a 28-24 victory over Iowa Central in the regular season finale last year.