By: Dana Becker

Messenger Sports Staff 

CEDAR FALLS — The 14th-ranked Iowa Central football team continued their incredible postseason run here Sunday afternoon, besting No. 10 Trinity Valley in the Game One Bowl, 31-24.

The game took place inside the UNI-Dome and marked the 12th consecutive bowl win for the Tritons (7-4 overall) and 18th overall. For head coach Jesse Montalto, this was his fifth straight win leading Iowa Central and his ninth consecutive including his first four with Ellsworth.

After racing out to a 24-0 lead at the half, the Tritons held off the Cardinals (8-3), who were making their first appearance here after winning the Southwest Junior Football Conference title out of Texas.

Trinity Valley scored with just 26 seconds left to make it a one-possession game, but Iowa Central recovered the onside kick and Zach Marker kneeled on the win. Marker was named offensive MVP after completing 18 of 26 for 180 yards with three touchdowns.

"This means everything," Marker said. "Going out with a bowl win (was the goal). You wanna play in December and that's what we got to do. Finishing it out with a victory makes it that much sweeter.

"I owe everything to the coaches at Iowa Central, so being able to perform and come out on top with a win is amazing. The game itself was fun. It's always fun playing high-level football, and to be named offensive MVP was the cherry on top."

Marker found Travis Isaac twice and Desna Washington once for scores, adding 70 yards rushing. Jadon Washington, who also found the end zone, ran for a game-high 72 yards and Walter Wilbon added 42.

Izaiah Haslett caught five passes for 72 yards, Perry Slater had 66 yards receiving, Isaac six for 57, Washington five for 51 and Cal Weidemann five for 44. Justin Silverstein threw for 101 yards, completing 7 of 9 throws.

"It means everything to me to be able to play in a game like this with a great team like we have," Jadon Washington said. "I loved playing with these coaches and players, and now, I'm ready for the next chapter."

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