FORT SCOTT, Kan. — The Iowa Central football team again experienced a heartbreaking overtime loss, falling to Fort Scott here Saturday, 26-17.

The Tritons had a chance to win the game, but BJ Phillips was intercepted on a fourth-and-7 pass. The Scotties kicked a 26-yard field goal on their first possession in overtime and Jordan Griffin returned the interception to end the contest.

Phillips, who returned from an injury in the second half, scored in the third with just seconds left to give Iowa Central a 17-14 lead. He also found Ty Sohn on a 3-yard touchdown pass in the third.

“Our kids fought their hearts out and left it all on the field,” ICCC head coach Kevin Twait said. “We didn’t play like a winless team. I’m just really proud of their effort.”

Jose Fuentes had two field goals blocked on the day, including one in the fourth quarter. He did connect on a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter to get the Tritons on the board.

“We thought about kicking the field goal and going to double-overtime, but with our last two being blocked, decided to go for it,” Twait said. “Looking back at it now, it was probably a poor play choice on my part to call a sprint-out pass and I’ll take the blame for that.”

Fort Scott tied it at 17-all on a 41-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Dalton Sneed, a former UNLV starting quarterback, tossed two touchdown passes on the day.

The Scotties led 14-3 at the half, but had just 18 yards of total offense in the third quarter. Fort Scott also gave Iowa Central seven first downs via penalty in the second half.

“We just made too many mistakes early on, especially on special teams,” Twait said. “That really hurt us.”

The Tritons are now off until Oct. 21 when they host Coffeyville at Dodger Stadium. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.