TOUGH TASK
Tritons can’t stop No. 3 Reivers
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Gabe McWilliams of Iowa Central dives for the first down against Iowa Western on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ivian Clark of Iowa Central sacks Iowa Western Garrett Ames on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Gabe McWilliams of Iowa Central dives for the first down against Iowa Western on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium.
-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Ivian Clark of Iowa Central sacks Iowa Western Garrett Ames on Saturday inside Dodger Stadium.
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Iowa Central head football coach Colby Kratch knew his team needed to avoid mistakes and miscues Saturday vs. third-ranked Iowa Western.
Unfortunately, they were unable to do either, dropping a 37-3 decision here inside Dodger Stadium.
On defense, the Tritons (4-3 overall, 1-1 in ICCAC) more than matched the defending national champion Reivers (6-1, 1-0), holding them to just 189 total yards.
But Iowa Western took advantage of the conditions and blunders made by Iowa Central to secure another win in the series.
"First off, credit to Iowa Western because they didn't make the mistakes," Kratch said. "Obviously, special teams was an issue for us, but that is something we can fix. Our defense played incredibly well. We have to do more on the offensive side of the ball to help them out.
"There are going to be a lot of teaching moments from this game. We are going to look at the film, make corrections and get better. I still have a strong belief in the players in the locker room and the coaches."
Tony Busch scooped up a forced fumble on a punt return by the Tritons, darting 25 yards for a touchdown in the first. Later that quarter, Tony Palmer fell on a blocked punt in the end zone to make it 14-0 in favor of the Reivers.
Ryan Bendezu added a field goal in the second and two more in the third around one from Iowa Central's Anderson Trejo. On each Bendezu field goal, the Triton defense held firm after being placed in difficult situations on the field, keeping the Reivers out of the end zone.
Trejo's field goal capped the best drive of the day for Iowa Central, as it covered 69 yards over 12 plays in the second quarter. The Tritons outgained Iowa Western in the first half, 90-81, but could not overcome the mistakes that led to points.
The Reivers put the game out of reach when Demetrius Dunlap picked off Jacari Patton and returned it 20 yards, making it 30-3 late in the third quarter. Travon Pankey added a rushing score midway through the fourth.
Gabe McWilliams completed 18 of 40 for 171 yards, as TyJohn Brooks had six receptions for 80. The Tritons ran for just 15 net yards.
For Iowa Western, Garrett Ames threw for 78 yards, Pankey had 42 yards rushing and John Jones 35 yards receiving.
"We put our defense in too many tough situations," Kratch said. "We'll get back to work and we will be better the rest of the season."
Iowa Central heads back to Kansas for the fifth and final time this Saturday, taking on Independence at 5 p.m. from Emmot Field. The Tritons played four straight games in Kansas, returning to Dodger Stadium this past weekend for the first time in over 40 days.