Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Iowa Central celebrates its bowl victory in Cedar Falls last December.

CEDAR FALLS – The Iowa Central football team once again has the opportunity to end the season on a high note here Sunday afternoon.

The Tritons will face No. 3 North Dakota State College of Science (NJCAA Div. III) in Game One Bowl held inside the UNI-Dome.

Kick-off is set for noon.

Iowa Central (5-6 overall) has won 13 straight postseason games, including a 44-9 win over Snow here last year. Triton head coach Jesse Montalto has yet to lose a game between the Ellsworth and Iowa Central coaching stints.

The last three months have been filled with ups and downs for the Tritons, who have been hit hard by the injury bug. They also suffered narrow losses to No. 1 Iowa Western and No. 3 Hutchinson, both of whom are headed to the NJCAA playoffs to compete for a national title.

After an early 1-4 stretch, Iowa Central bounced back with four wins, securing a berth in a bowl game by defeating Garden City and the double division defending champion. III national champion College of DuPage.

Tyler Smith and Ty Purdy split time at quarterback, with Smith throwing for 971 yards and Purdy 659. They combined for 18 touchdowns.

Cyncir Bowers, a freshman, ranks among the nation’s leaders in rushing yards and all-purpose yards, averaging 83 rushing yards per game and nearly 155 all-purpose yards per night.

Iowa Central and North Dakota Science were once league rivals in the Midwest Football Conference. They last met in 2013, with the Tritons winning by a 19-13 final. The league disbanded shortly after.

The Wildcats (9-1) are led by quarterback Jacob Mattick, who has nearly 900 yards with 12 touchdowns, and Michael Douglas Jr., who has 544 yards and six touchdowns.

This year marks the 46th edition of the Game One Bowl, previously called the Graphic Edge and RC Cola Bowl. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.

A Tritons victory would give Montalto his 50th at the school.

Iowa Central has not lost a postseason competition since 2003.