By: Dana Becker
Messenger Sports Staff
As Jesse Montalto watched his players celebrate around him, a huge smile came across his face.
Sure, some of it was because his third-ranked Iowa Central football team had just rallied for a thrilling 26-20 Homecoming victory over Coffeyville inside Dodger Stadium last Saturday night.
But there was something else.
"These kids, man, they just love one another," Montalto said. "They love playing for one another and we love coaching them. There is a special bond with this group. We have complete trust that they are going to make the play when we need it because that is how they approach each practice and each game."
Dan Knudsen kick-started the game-winning drive with an interception, as Justin Silverstein set up the score with a key 25-yard completion to Riley Purcell that put the ball at the 2. From there, Adriel Fussell plunged into the end zone.
Knudsen and Silverstein are both sophomores, while Purcell and Fussell are redshirt freshmen for the Tritons (5-1 overall), who have won three in a row.
"This group, they just get it," Montalto said. "Justin had a tough night with three interceptions, but I told him, 'I love you and I trust you,' because I do. He's the guy for us and he showed it with that pass to Riley.
"Our defense came up big when we needed them to and the offense delivered in the end. We've got a big few weeks coming up and it feels great to start it off with a win in front of an incredible environment like we had."
Silverstein threw for 217 yards and ran in a touchdown, while Spencer Zinn also had a rushing score. Mario Sanders, the nation's receiving leader, had seven receptions for 75 and completed a 43-yard pass on a trick play.
For the Red Ravens, Geremiah Moore threw for 164 yards and ran for 80 with a pair of scores, but had two interceptions in the second half after going 7-for-7 in the opening 30 minutes.
Iowa Central's Jamal Spiyee made it 20-20 midway through the fourth with a pick-6 off Moore. Xhavion Reese had a sack and a fumble recovery on defense.
"I just can't say enough about our kids," Montalto said. "They do everything we ask of them, they do everything the right way and they don't cause any problems. It's exciting to see them have the success they have had on the field because of all that."
The Tritons opened the game with two extended first half drives that both resulted in touchdowns. The first was capped off by Silverstein's scramble to paydirt that ended a six-play, 66-yard drive, while the second covered 77 yards over 13 plays and saw Zinn punch it in.
Iowa Central will now prepare for No. 14 Butler this coming Saturday for its Hall of Fame game. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. back here at Dodger Stadium.