The intensity will hit another level here this Sunday when Iowa Central and Iowa Western collide inside Dodger Stadium.
Kickoff is set for noon.
Both teams are ranked inside the Top-10, as the Tritons (3-0 overall, 0-0 in ICCAC) are eighth and the Reivers sit fourth.
Iowa Central is coming off an 84-point performance in its home debut last week vs. Gordon Fine Arts and Sports Academy, adding to wins over No. 15 Lackawanna and second-ranked (NJCAA, Div. III) College of DuPage.
"We know this will be the biggest test we've had to date," Iowa Central head coach Jesse Montalto said. "They are big, physical, well-coached and talented; just like they are every year. But I like our guys and I feel like they are ready to see how they match up with them."
Byron Jarrett, a returning starter at quarterback from the spring when the Tritons won their third consecutive Graphic Edge Bowl and finished 6-3, is completing 67 percent of his passes for 660 yards with nine touchdowns and just one interception. Daylen Boddie, Cayne Smith and Levon Bellemy all have over 100 yards rushing, and Desna Washington is averaging 69 yards per game and nearly 19 yards per reception with four touchdowns.
"We've got to have players step up and make plays," Montalto said. "We can't have drive-killers meaning penalties or dropped passes. We have to be fundamentally smart and take advantage of anything they give us."
The defense has allowed just 13 points in the past six quarters, forcing 10 turnovers with nine sacks. CJ Christian and Noah Epley lead the way with 15 tackles each, while Bilahl Kone, Major Williams, Shamore Collins, Bryant Barrier and Kenny Givens all have at least 10.
Special teams have also been strong for Iowa Central through three games. Colin Swygman, who made the game-winning kick in the Graphic Edge Bowl win in 2019, has not missed a kick in 20 attempts. Kone averages 41 yards per punt and Jordan Kumm returned a punt for a score.
"The defense remembers what Iowa Western did in the spring," Montalto said. "Those returning guys know what they have to do in order to have success. And on special teams, we've been improved in all areas this fall, playing with a lot more confidence.
"It's really going to come down to who makes the big plays and who limits them."
Through two weeks, Iowa Western (2-0, 1-0) has rolled past Dodge City, 38-14, and Ellsworth, 64-6. Nate Glantz, a returning starter at quarterback from the spring, has thrown for 155 yards while Tony Bartalo leads the way with 160 yards passing.
Both Bartalo and Walker Kinney have two passing TDs each. Milton Sargbah leads the team with 120 yards rushing and three scores, with former Des Moines Roosevelt standout Jaden Koger adding 100 and a TD. Moses Bryant has scored three times with 97 yards rushing.
The Reiver defense has put pressure on opposing offenses, racking up eight sacks and nine turnovers with three touchdowns allowed.
Iowa Western won both meetings in the spring, 34-20 and 37-14. In the process, they claimed "The Cup," the new trophy awarded to the winner.
-By Dana Becker