FORT WAYNE, Ind. - All the Iowa Central football team needed was a spark.

Down 21-7 to No. 9 Lackawanna here Sunday afternoon, the 11th-ranked Tritons got that, scoring 21 unanswered to post a 28-21 win. The game was played at a neutral site hosted by St. Francis University. 

Byron Jarrett, who led Iowa Central to a win in the Graphic Edge Bowl this past spring, hit Desna Washington for two touchdowns on back-to-back possessions to lead the rally. Jarrett finished with 311 yards passing and a rushing TD, as Washington caught seven passes for 127 yards and the two scores.

"We just stayed true to ourselves and when big plays needed to be made, we all stepped up and made them," Jarrett said. "The biggest click was our offensive line getting comfortable and them finding their groove, making my job easier. And my receivers made me look even better."

Lackawanna had a chance to tie the game late, but the Triton defense forced a turnover on downs and Jarrett was able to kneel the game away in favor of Iowa Central. 

The Falcons took a 21-7 lead on a Cohen Russell 75-yard return with just under a minute to go in the third quarter. From there, it was all Tritons. 

"This win was huge," Jarrett said. "A Top-10 win for the season opener, it can't get better than that. It feels great, glad we weren't the ones taking the long road trip home with a loss under our belt."

Cal Weidemann caught a touchdown, finishing with 53 yards on five receptions. Jordan Kumm had a 40-yard catch and Bilhal Kone averaged almost 42 yards on seven punts, including a 65-yarder. 

Colin Swygman was 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts and both Major Williams and Deante Nelson picked off passes. Decari Randle recorded two tackles for loss with Antoineo Harris getting a sack. Kone had a team-high 12 tackles and CJ Christian eight.

Jarrett found the end zone on a short run to tie the contest at 7-all in the second quarter. 

The 500-plus mile trek for the game only helped prepare Iowa Central.

It was definitely needed," Jarrett said of getting on the field for the season opener. "We were definitely ready to see different competition after a long fall camp."

The Tritons will now prepare for No. 2 (NJCAA Div. III) College of DuPage in Illinois this coming Saturday.

-By Dana Becker