FORT DODGE - The Iowa Central football team has dealt with varying levels of disappointment all season long.
A 20-17 loss to rival Iowa Western on Saturday had head coach Kevin Twait as frustrated as ever. A lot of his exasperation came from a good place, though, which is something the Tritons could potentially build from moving forward.
Despite allowing just 48 rushing yards, blocking two punts, registering five sacks and surrendering a season-low point total, Iowa Central remained winless as the Reivers (4-5 overall) did just enough to escape Dodger Stadium with a victory.
''This group will not quit,'' Twait said. ''It would be easy to roll over and feel sorry for ourselves with the record we have, but that's not what we're about. We're going to keep fighting and do whatever it takes to get this thing turned around.
''There are times where we walked away from ballgames earlier in the year angry and bitter about (the lopsided final score). This time, we're angry and bitter because we had our chances. We were close at the end, which is both frustrating and encouraging.''
Iowa Central trailed 20-7 during the early stages of the second half, and Iowa Western had five different possessions the rest of the way where it could have added to the lead. Instead, the Triton defense forced four punts - with one being blocked - and a turnover on downs to blank the Reivers over the final 27-plus minutes of regulation.
Sophomore defensive back Roosevelt Lawrence got the ball rolling early for Iowa Central with a punt block and return for a score from 19 yards out. Lawrence also later intercepted a pass.
Iowa Western reeled off the next 20 points and seemed to be pulling away before the Tritons again buckled down defensively and started to show signs of life.
Freshman Isaiah Thomas, who moved from receiver to quarterback recently for Iowa Central, scrambled for a team-best 54 yards before injuring his knee in late the fourth period. Devin Tripp had the lone offensive touchdown with 7:52 left in the contest. The Tritons did get the ball back twice after that, but were unable to get into field goal range either time.
''Just too many self-inflicted wounds again on offense,'' Twait said. ''Ill-time penalties, a few missed open receivers, a field goal we didn't convert - you look back in a three-point game and wish you had a few of those back.
''Isaiah gives us a real spark. He did a nice job. The kid is a dynamic athlete.''
Jack Kallenberger registered a pair of sacks for Iowa Central, while Xavier Graham, Jack Buttjer and Avion Sullivan also brought down Iowa Western quarterback Andre Nunez in the backfield. Travis Hohbach blocked the fourth-quarter punt as a bookend to Lawrence's big play early.
The Tritons managed just 60 yards through the air, while Nunez went 20 of 29 for 220 yards and three scores. All three Reiver TDs were through the air and from outside the red zone.
Iowa Central returns to action on Saturday at No. 1 Garden City. The Tritons' season finale is on Nov. 12 at 18th-ranked Butler.