GARDEN CITY, Kan. – Special teams had an immediate impact here Saturday for the Iowa Central football team.
Elijah Graham returned a blocked punt on the first possession of the game against Garden City, setting the tone as the ninth-seeded Tritons cruised to a 40-21 victory.
Iowa Central (2-0 overall) scored 23 points in the first quarter, as John Holcombe and Cal Weidemann added offensive scores around a safety.
Holcombe scored his second TD of the game to make it 30-0 early in the second, with Desna Washington finding the end zone before Garden City (0-2) went on the board.
Justin Silverstein passed 8 of 18 for 115 yards with a touchdown, while Omarion Bartlett completed 7 of 10 for 55 yards and a score. Cayne Smith rushed for 50 yards, Jadon Washington 48 and Bartlett 42 in an offense that racked up more than 400 yards.
Izaiah Haslett caught four passes for 67 yards to lead the receivers.
Rex Van Whye anchored the defense with 11 tackles, Demetrios Walker had two tackles for loss and Jacob Camacho had an assist.
The No. 12 Garden City was limited to just 66 rushing yards on 23 carries and went 1-for-10 on third conversions.
The Tritons will play their third straight Kansas school this Saturday, returning to the road to meet third-seeded Hutchinson, who outscored Ellsworth, 70-7.