SEP 3, 2022

By:  DANA BECKER

The Messenger Sports Reporter

dbecker@messengernews.net

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The ninth-ranked Iowa Central football team hits the road this Saturday for the first time this year.

The Tritons (1-0 overall) meet No. 12 Garden City (0-1) inside Buffalo Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

In the season opener last week at Dodger Stadium, Iowa Central rolled past then-No. 10 Independence, 34-17. They took an early lead and never looked back, scoring five offensive touchdowns through the air.

Zach Marker made his first career start, completing 9 of 13 for 144 yards and three scores. After he was injured, Justin Silverstein came on, hitting 8-for-12 for 105 yards and two more TDs.

Desna Washington, a returning starter from the Graphic Edge Bowl winning team last year, caught three passes for 46 yards and two scores, while George Sims had three for 52. Cal Weidemann, another returnee, had three for 48 and Travis Isaac, Jamarien Wheeler and Izaiah Haslett each caught a touchdown.

Marker is not expected to play, with Silverstein and Omarion Bartlett slated to handle the QB duties.

"We feel like our quarterback room is one of the deepest we have this year," ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto said. "We planned on giving all three of them time last week. All of them can go out and compete and bring experience to the field.

"We also found out we have some receiver depth to go along with the experience guys like Desna and Cal."

The Tritons held Independence out of the end zone in the first and fourth quarters, allowing just a field goal in the third. They also limited Independence to just 281 yards of total offense and recorded three sacks.

Garden City fell to 10th-ranked Butler in its opener, 35-28, suffering its first opening-week loss since 2019. Ty Perry threw for 250 yards and two TDs, Travis Dixon ran for 81 yards with a score and Torey Morrison caught eight passes for 55 yards and a TD.

The Broncbuster offensive line allowed five sacks and they committed 14 penalties for 150 yards in the game.

"Garden City is a good football team," Montalto said. "They got a little tired late against Butler, but playing Butler on the road is always tough. They'll definitely come out ready to go at home against us."

This will be the second of seven games with teams from the Kansas Jayhawk Conference after another agreement was reached between that league and the ICCAC, which includes the Tritons, No. 2 Iowa Western and Ellsworth.

Read full article at:  https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2022/09/no-9-tritons-hit-the-road/