Reivers Dodge Comeback Attempt, Win 2023 Opener

Dodge City, KS

Year after year, game after game, everyone's best shot is coming when they play Iowa Western Football.  Year 15 of the program will not be any different.  The top-ranked Reivers scored 24 unanswered points on Saturday and then withstood Dodge City's at a comeback and the Conquistadors first ever win versus IWCC.

In his Reiver debut, starting Quarterback Hunter Watson tossed three touchdowns, two to sophomore wideout LJ Fitzpatrick, while completing 15-27 passes for 176 yards.  The Reivers run game, led by sophomore Bryant Williams, churned out over 200 yards on the ground to complement the aerial attack as Williams cleared the 100-yard single game mark for the first time in his Reiver career.

While the offense totaled nearly 400 total yards of offense, the defense, returning just three contributors from the top-rated 2022 unit, struggled at times, but showed promise.  The 'Darkside' put plenty of pressure on DC3, forcing three turnovers and collecting four sacks among the six tackles for loss on the day.  Special Teams also aided the effort, blocking a Conqs punt to set the Reivers 'O' up with a short field and adding another six points on field goals by freshman kicker Max Bartachek.

In the end, the Reivers were happy to get their first win of the 2023, but have plenty of work to do.  "I'm always happy with a win, but we have to improve everywhere," said Head Coach Scott Strohmeier.  "We did everything we talk about not doing, leaving points on the field, giving up the big play on defense and special teams mistakes."

Next up, the 2023 home opener against a ranked Georgia Military team, the Bulldogs first visit to Council Bluffs since 2012, the same year the Reivers won their first National Championship.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm from Lewis Central High School's Titan Stadium.  The Reivers lead the all-time series with GMC, 3-1.

All the action can be heard, free of charge, on the Reiver Sports Network.  The game, with Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen, and Josh Odson on the call, can also be found on Iowa Western's 100,000-watt FM radio station, 89.7 The River.  The RSN Countdown to Kickoff begins at 12:30 on the radio side with the video stream starting just before kickoff.

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