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No. 12 Tritons host Coffeyville

Jesse Montalto and the Iowa Central football team enjoyed their stunning win over Iowa Western this past weekend inside Dodger Stadium.

But only for a short period of time.

Roughly 24 hours after claiming the Kinney Cup for the first time in a decade, the 12th-ranked Tritons (1-1 overall, 1-0 in ICCAC) went to work preparing for Coffeyville.

The Red Ravens (0-2) make a visit Saturday with a noon kickoff scheduled.

“We enjoyed (the victory over Iowa Western), but we have 24-hour rule in this program and we were ready to get back after it Sunday afternoon,” said Montalto, who earned his first win over the Reivers in six tries as a head coach. “We went right back to work in preparing for a Coffeyville team that is going to come in here and look to take it to us.”

After hitting the road in the season opener at No. 3 Butler, the Tritons were excited to be back home, where they have gone 6-1 over the past two seasons under Montalto.

“It is a true home-field advantage playing at Dodger Stadium,” Montalto said. “We love it. The community comes out, we have the band, cheerleaders, dancers, Tri the mascot; it all really gives our kids the energy to play with passion and excitement.”

DJ Irons accounted for three touchdowns and 202 total yards of offense with Kurt Taylor running for 81. Tanarious Achan hauled in five passes for 74 yards and Terrell Carey had a touchdown catch.

On the year, Irons, a transfer from Eastern Kentucky, has completed 27 of 47 for 268 yards with 62 more yards on the ground. Taylor, a Michigan transfer, has 98 yards rushing and Achan has 13 receptions — which ties him for second in the nation — for 124 yards.

Special teams were also a key part to the Iowa Central win, as Colin Swygman made two field goals and both of his extra-point attempts. Jacob Tokheim, a freshman from Ridge View, pinned the Reivers deep twice on punts in the second half and took a personal foul penalty that sealed the victory. Rashad Witty also recovered an onside kick attempt for the Tritons.

Dijion Walls picked off two passes and Lamont Bishop had two tackles for loss. Eugene Brown, Stanley Cross and DaQuan Cross led the defense with over 20 combined tackles.

“They are a very talented football team that has just been hurt by turnovers,” Montalto said. “They had a chance to go up a couple touchdowns on Iowa Western. Our kids will have to be focused on what they need to do on the field.”

The Red Ravens have used three quarterbacks over two games, with Aubrey Williams leading the way with 261 yards and two touchdowns. The team has 11 turnovers on the season, including six interceptions.

Challen Fa’amautau has 117 yards rushing and Marco Lee has 63, with Tyquez Hampton the leading receiver with 126 yards on seven receptions and a score.

“(Iowa Central) is a well coached team. They go out each and every week and play hard,” Coffeyville head coach Aaron Flores said. “They came out with a lot of energy (vs. Iowa Western). It was a good back-and-forth game with special teams being the biggest difference.

“We have to got to be able to maintain the ball and will all three phases.”

Coffeyville opened the year with a loss at seventh-rated Iowa Western before falling to No. 20 Fort Scott this past Saturday night.

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