Iowa Central Football Cements Top 10 Finish Nationally With Bowl Game Win

For the first time ever, Dodger Stadium hosted a college football bowl game. #10 Iowa Central took the Graphic Edge Bowl Trophy downing 9th ranked New Mexico Military in a high drama affair 23-21. The win will all but guarantee, a top 10 finish in the final NJCAA poll.

The Tritons built a first half lead on the back of their tremendous defense. The defense forced three turnovers and pitched a shutout in the 1st half. Tritons led 10-0 at the half, after a TD run from Dylan Boddie and 22 yard FD from Colin Swygman.

New Mexico Military would open the 2nd half with a TD run by QB Diego Pavila. The Broncos would score again on a TD run from Ty Thompson and take their 1st lead at 14-10.

The Tritons battled back scoring two TD’s in the 4th. The first of those TD’s, came on a 3 yard TD pass from QB Byron Jarrett to WR Jace Levy. That TD hook up put Iowa Central back up 17-14. Their next drive they went 12 plays and 72 yards, that drive was capped off by a Byron Jarrett TD run. Tritons then led 23-14.

New Mexico Military would get a TD pass from Pavila to Malik Phillips that cut it to 23-21 with just over 30 seconds left.

Iowa Central recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and took a knee to put the game away.

Bihlal Kone was the Defensive MVP as he had two interceptions. Byron Jarrett was named Offensive MVP, a TD pass and one on the ground. The final NJCAA poll is expected to be released either later this week or next week. The Tritons are expected to finish in the top 10 after spending the season ranked and only losing to top 5 teams. A top 10 finish would be the first for the program under current Head Coach Jesse Montalto.