For Iowa Central coach Jesse Montalto after Saturday’s one-point home loss, the explanation was simple.
“I couldn’t get it done.”
The eighth-ranked Tritons (1-1 overall) couldn’t overcome a first-half onslaught against 13th-ranked Highland (2-0), dropping a close game 14-13 at Dodger Stadium.
The opposing teams combined for 24 points in the first half alone, with only one field goal by Iowa Central in the second quarter after the first 15 minutes.
The Scotties snapped a three-game losing streak against the Tritons, who also lost 41-13 on the road last year and were beaten 132-33.
Both teams started the first half on fast breaks, with the Tritons scoring first on a third-down play when Ethan Schultz got to the outside edge and scored from 37 yards out.
Highlands quarterback Gunner Smith was next up to take the ball. Two plays later, the University of Central Florida transfer, who also previously played at South Florida, completed a 66-yard pass to Darrion Bryant.
Iowa Central regained the lead with a 32-yard field goal by Noah Gustafson.
The Scotties’ fast break attack responded with a 72-yard pass from Smith to Bryant.
As the first half drew to a close, Gustafson made a 29-yard field goal to cut the lead to one.
Iowa Central had a chance to win late in the game when the Tritons drove the ball from their own 24-yard line to the Highland 40 but couldn’t score on fourth down.
“We wanted to give Nolan a chance (for the winning field goal).” Montalto said. “He’s a guy we can trust and we wanted to give him a chance but we didn’t.”
Iowa Central couldn’t stop Highland’s big-play attack, allowing six passes of 20 yards or more, and the Scotties had three plays that covered 40 yards or more.
“We couldn’t convert.” “You can’t allow that many big plays, and we did,” Montalto said.
“Highland is the place to get that.”
Smith completed 11 of 22 passes for 225 yards, while Bryant had the most impact, completing 7 passes for 214 yards.
Both teams struggled to find an offensive rhythm late as both defenses made adjustments, with Iowa Central managing just 59 yards of total offense over the final 30 minutes, while Highland had just 127.
The Tritons had a couple of big plays, with Dallas Saucer blocking two field goals and the defense recording two sacks.
“Our field goal unit came out in a big way.” Montalto said. “Blocking a field goal at that point in the game allowed us to go on to win.”
Iowa Central struggled with third and fourth down conversions, converting just 5 of 15 on third down and 1 of 3 on fourth down.
In the first half, the Tritons racked up 228 yards of total offense, with quarterback Trevon Taylor completing 14 of 16 attempts for 94 yards.
Cincil Bowers carried the ball 11 times for 55 yards.
Iowa Central returns to action on Saturday at Hutchinson (Kansas), with kickoff scheduled for noon.
IC H
First Down 15 12
Rush yards 30-160 28-87
Passed 156 225
Comp-Attack-Intelligence 14-16-0 11-22-0
Total Attack Power 320 312
Fumble-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalty Yards 8-80 7-60
Iowa Central 10 3 0 0– 13
Highland 14 0 0 0–14
Scoring Summary
Iowa Central — Ethan Schultz, 37-yard run, 12:51 left in the first quarter. Nolan Gustafson kick.
Highland — Darrion Bryant (66-yard pass from Gunner Smith) with 11:40 left in the first. Justin Anderson kicks.
Iowa Central — Gustafson, 32-yard field goal, 2:56 left in the first quarter.
Highland — Bryant (72-yard catch from Smith) with 1:34 left in the first quarter. Anderson kicks.
Iowa Central — Gustafson, 29-yard field goal, 1:08 left in the second quarter.
Personal Statistics
Rushing — Iowa Central: Cyncil Bowers 11-54, Ethan Schultz 2-38, Tyler Smith 4-17, Adriel Fassel 3-12, team 1 (minus-13);Highland: Landyn Moore 16-58, Bryce Johnson Jr. 9-39, Gunner Smith 3 (minus-10).
Passing — Iowa Central: Trevon Taylor 14-16-0-112, Tyler Smith 7-9-048. Highland: Gunner Smith 11-22-0-225.
RECEIVING — Iowa Central: Cyncil Bowers 4-29, Austin Ayobamidele 3-26, Jalen Ruth 4-25, Akili Mattox 2-18, Dominique Brown 2-18, Clyde Curry 2-16, Darrion Gilliam 1-15, Jacob Kania 3-5, Anthony Hall 1-5, Ethan Schultz 2-4.Highland: Darrion Bryant 7-214, Jarvais McGehee 1-44, Maki Williams 1-9, Jason Koma 1-1.
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