Fifteen minutes before kickoff a hush came across the Tritons' locker room. Former Triton Head Coach and current Athletic Director, Kevin Twait, had entered to give a special pregame speech before the 2024 Game One Bowl.
"This is the last time this great group of Tritons will be together. Enjoy it. You kept improving after enduring some tough losses this season. Some teams would have given in - not this group." said Twait as he addressed the Tritons. "Too much pride. Too many great leaders. There will some highs and lows today. Football is a three hour game. Stay consistent. Play hard. Play smart. Play Together."
The Tritons would do just that. Scoring on five of their first six possessions, the Tritons jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the first quarter on touchdown passes from Ty Purdy of 12 yards to Akili Mattox and 50 yards to Dalen Huston, followed by a Cyncir Bowers 41-yard touchdown run.
"We started off really well and it had a lot to do with Coach Twait giving a great pregame speech." said Triton Head Coach, Jesse Montalto. "He's had such an impact on Iowa Central and the football program. It meant a lot to have him do it. He's laid the foundation of what Iowa Central Football is all about."
The Tritons would go on to score 42 points in the first half while the defense shutout the Wildcats. Both teams would score only once in the second half of the 49-6 Triton victory. Coach Montalto was happy with the Tritons' effort. "I love how hard our kids played all the way through. Other than two big plays, the defense was in lock down." Montalto said. "Joseph Shannon was the key to that. He had a sack, was all over the field making plays and was just disruptive in the backfield for us."
Shannon would go on to be named Defensive MVP. He finished with five tackles, two tackles for a loss, one sack, and a blocked PAT.
Bowers finished with 91 yards on just seven carries (13 yard avg.) giving him 1,008 for the season and was named Offensive MVP. He also added 15 receiving yards and 55 return yards. "That was one of our goals coming into today for Cyncir." said Montalto on Bowers eclipsing 1,000 yards.
As a team, the Tritons finished with 516 yards of total offense (226 rushing, 290 passing) while holding NDSCS to just 62 total yards (19 rushing, 43 passing). NDSCS came into the game with the top rushing offense in Division III (209 ypg) and were averaging 31 points per game.
"I'm just really happy with the outcome today. I'm happy for the our young guys who had an opportunity to get in the game." said Montalto on getting so many reserves playing time. "We got some guys in who haven't had as many reps throughout the year. It was great to watch those guys have some success. Dallas (Sauser) played phenomenal today going 10-13 passing with two touchdowns. Just a lot of different guys that stepped up."
With the victory, the Tritons finish the season with a 6-6 record and their 14th consecutive bowl victory. Montalto is now 11-0 in the postseason for his career. It was also a milestone victory for Coach Montalto – his 50th at the helm of the Tritons. "I have a lot of appreciation and love for Iowa Central. I couldn't do it without the support of the administration, my assistant coaches, and everything we've put together here." said Montalto on the milestone. "Today was a great day. Our kids found a way to get it done for us and go out with a win."
Statistical Leaders vs. NDSCS –
Passing – Dallas Sauser (136 yds, 2 TD), Ty Purdy (103 yds, 2 TD)
Rushing – Cyncir Bowers (91 yds, 1 TD), Anthony Hall (53 yds), Ethan Schultz (41 yds, 1 TD)
Receiving – Dalen Huston (70 yds, 1 TD), Austin Ayobamidele (61 yds, 1 TD), Akili Mattox (37 yds, 1 TD)
Tackles – Joseph Shannon (5), BJ Elston (4), Aiden Burrell-Warfield (4), BJ Henry (4), Patrick Brown III (4)
Image gallery is available at www.facebook.com/ictritons.