The latest installment in the Iowa Central-Iowa Western rivalry left a lasting impression on all involved here Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium.
And while it was the fourth-ranked Reivers scoring a 36-22 victory, Triton head coach Jesse Montalto knows there is still plenty yet to be decided.
"Of course we wanted to win the game," Montalto said. "That's always the goal. But I feel like we found out a lot about ourselves. And with the games we have left to play, we still have a chance at our goals.
"We've just got to come back and get prepared for the next one."
Byron Jarrett threw for a career-high 402 yards with three passing touchdowns, but No. 8 Iowa Central (3-1 overall, 0-1 in ICCAC) was hurt by three missed scoring chances inside the red zone.
Desna Washington had 10 receptions for 177 yards and two scores, with Madison Ridgeway hauling in six passes for 110 and a TD.
"We just didn't have the big play when we needed it," Montalto said. "The difference in games like this is having a break go your way. (Sunday) Iowa Western caught those breaks, but I feel really good about where we are at on several layers."
The Reivers (3-0, 2-0) used a big first half from Nate Glantz to take a 20-3 lead. Glantz had two passing touchdowns and led another scoring drive, finishing with 278 yards in the air and a pair of scores.
Milton Sargbah ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns while Ryan Flournoy had six receptions for 86 yards. Aisea Toki and Michael Love caught scores for Iowa Western.
Down by 17 before halftime, Jarrett led a six-play, 71-yard scoring drive that resulted in a 33-yard TD pass to Washington. The Tritons had another chance to add points before the break, but were denied by the Reiver defense.
Glantz made it 26-10 when he scored to start the fourth, capping a 13-play, 83-yard series. Iowa Western added a field goal six minutes later to lead 29-10.
Jarrett hit Ridgeway on a perfectly-placed pass, with the receiver taking it 70 yards for a score to cut into the deficit late in the third.
"We had a couple chances to turn the momentum in our favor," Montalto said. "We just couldn't do it. I know these guys, though, are going to be ready to go here in a few weeks when we face them again."
Jarrett and Washington hooked up for a second time on a 23-yard pass on fourth-down with Washington pulling the pass down in the corner of the end zone. An onside kick attempt was recovered by the Reivers to end the game.
Jordan Kumm had eight receptions for 81 yards with five other Tritons catching a pass. Jarrett ran for a team-high 42 yards.
On defense, Major Williams and CJ Christian each picked off passes with Wesley Bazzle and Deonte Bryant recording a sack. Blake Whaley, Dominic McMillian, Deion Coleman and Kenny Givens each had half-a-sack with Whaley forcing a fumble.
Iowa Central welcomes in Air Force Prep on Saturday for Homecoming at 1 p.m.
-By Dana Becker