Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Madison Ridgeway of Iowa Central tries to make the catch in the end zone against Iowa Western on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Jesse Montalto took fault for the end result of Saturday’s Top-10 showdown between his Iowa Central football team and Iowa Western.

The Reivers scored a 34-20 victory inside Dodger Stadium, taking advantage of a handful of key plays to gain a leg-up in the race for the ICCAC title.

Kyre Williams caught a 66-yard touchdown pass to break a 20-20 tie early in the fourth for ninth-ranked Iowa Western (1-1 overall, 1-0 in league), and its defense recorded a game-sealing pick-six to end it.

“As the head coach, I’ve got to have our team better prepared and ready to execute,” Montalto said. “That’s on me. We didn’t get into a rhythm on offense. Our defense played great, especially there in the first half, but we could never get on track on offense.”

Quarterback Nate Glantz led Iowa Western, throwing for 379 yards and running for another 46 with a pair of passing touchdowns.

The Reivers bounced back after falling in Week 1 at home to No. 4 Snow.

Josh Jasek gave the Reivers an early lead with two first quarter field goals and Kedrik Osuorah had a rushing score. Max Howes returned an interception back for the final points of the game.

“We’ve got to get back after it this week in practice,” Montalto said. “We knew Iowa Western wasn’t Southern-Shreveport (who Iowa Central topped in the opening week, 52-0). We came out flat and that’s something you can’t do against (the Reivers).”

Jadon Washington ran for 80 yards and Aniik McKenzie gave the Tritons (1-1, 0-1) a boost by returning the opening second half kickoff back for a score. Savion Johnson caught a touchdown pass from Brady Pope and Colin Swygman made a pair of field goals.

Pope was 17-for-36 for 146 yards with two interceptions, Johnson caught five passes for 68 yards and Madison Ridgeway had seven receptions for 48.

On defense, Garret Ollendieck picked off a pass and had a sack, with Kenny Edwards picking up a sack, as well. Both Julian Beach and Malik Occiur recovered fumbles.

Iowa Central returns to action Saturday when they host the Grand View JV.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing – Iowa Central: Jadon Washington 22-80, Daylen Boddie 2-6, Byron Jarrett 2-6, Brady Pope 2-1. Iowa Western: Nate Glantz 14-46, Zion Guerra 8-7, Mecose Todd 6-7, Kedrik Osuorah 5-2, Ezeki Leggins 1-2.

Passing – Iowa Central: Byron Jarrett 1-8-0-12, Brady Pope 17-36-2-146. Iowa Western: Nate Glantz 29-40-1-379.

Receiving – Iowa Central: Savion Johnson 5-68, Madison Ridgeway 7-48, Jayce Levy 3-20, Daylen Boddie 1-12, Aniik McKenzie 1-5, Jalen Harris 1-5. Iowa Western: Michael Love 5-128, Donovan Moorer 5-97, Matt Byrnes 6-55, James Gilbert 5-45, Josh Simmons 2-22, Samuel Ingoli 2-15, Blake Vaughan 1-8, Zion Guerra 1-6, Aisea 2-3.