For the second straight week, the Iowa Central football team took the field against a Top-5 opponent.

On Saturday, it was top-ranked Hutchinson (3-0 overall) who visited Dodger Stadium.

The Tritons (2-1 overall) couldn’t find an offensive rhythm and the Blue Devil defense kept Iowa Central out of the end zone to earn a 27-2 victory.

“We just weren’t able to get anything going offensively,” said ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto. “We kept them in check, but they were able to come up with the big plays on offense and their defense was solid, forcing us into five turnovers.”

Iowa Central looked to take a 6-0 lead on the opening drive of the contest. The Blue Dragons marched 75 yards in 16 plays.

Hutchinson set up for a 24-yard field goal, which Iowa Central blocked, and the ball landed in the end zone. The Tritons thought they had a scoop-six, but the play was ruled dead because the ball crossed the goal line.

“That was a huge momentum switch,” Montalto said. “We scoop up the ball and look to start off with a 7-0 lead.

“Then they take away the touchdown and the momentum changes.”

Iowa Central would get on the scoreboard first, earning a safety.

The two teams fought back and forth in the first half, with Hutchinson taking a 10-2 halftime advantage.

“It was a tight first half. We were going toe-to-toe with them,” Montalto said. “We are here to win games and we made too many mistakes to be able to do that.”

The Tritons couldn’t get their offense moving, as the Blue Devils held them to 75 yards rushing and only 266 yards of total offense.

The Blue Devil defense forced the Tritons into five turnovers, picking off four passes. Hutchinson freshman defensive back Ryan Nolan picked off three ICCC passes.

Hutchinson quarterback Samari Collier went over 100 yards both passing and rushing. Collier had 107 yards and rushed for 176 for a combined three TDs.

Collier threw for touchdowns of 16 yards to Oran Singleton and 16 yards to Tristan Smith.

He also had a 29-yard touchdown run.

Hutchinson sophomore kicker Cole Segraves booted field goals of 40 and 25 yards.

Iowa Central is back in action on Saturday when they travel to Iowa Falls to face Ellsworth. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.