Week 9: Iowa Western pulls away from Garden City 35–21 with third-quarter surge

Posted November 2, 2025

Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025 — Council Bluffs, Iowa

Garden City Community College traded blows early with one of the nation’s best, but a third-quarter surge from Iowa Western broke open a tight contest as the No. 4-ranked Reivers defeated the Broncbusters 35–21 Saturday afternoon at Titan Stadium. Garden City (5–3 overall, 2–3 KJCCC) struck first and matched Iowa Western score-for-score through the first half, but the Reivers’ power run game and defensive front ultimately proved decisive. Iowa Western improves to 7–1 and remains in the hunt for another national playoff berth.

How Iowa Western Won

The Broncbusters opened fast, piecing together an 11-play, 51-yard drive capped by Tanner Helton’s 8-yard keeper to make it 7–0 midway through the first quarter. Iowa Western quickly answered with a 31-yard touchdown run by Corey Washington to even the score at 7–7.

Garden City reclaimed momentum early in the second quarter when Tochi Okoro hauled in a 14-yard touchdown from Helton following a turnover on downs, giving the visitors a 14–7 edge. Iowa Western countered twice before the half — a 10-yard touchdown connection from Malachi Marshall to Drew Francois, and a 16-yard strike to Washington — to carry a 21–14 lead into the locker room.

Helton and the Broncbusters responded immediately after halftime, marching 70 yards in seven plays, finishing with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Cenard Bennett that tied the game at 21–21. From there, however, the Reivers’ depth took over. Daniel Swinney powered in from three yards out to reclaim the lead, and on the next series, Asa Locks jumped a route for a 31-yard interception return touchdown — the game’s turning point.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, as Iowa Western’s defensive front closed the door with nine sacks and relentless pressure.

Garden City Takeaways

Despite facing one of the country’s most complete teams, Garden City again showed grit and balance early. The offense found rhythm through Helton’s dual-threat efficiency — 129 yards passing and two total touchdowns — while John Randle Jr. (12 carries, 77 yards) and DaeOnte’ Mitchell (56 yards) paced a rushing attack that averaged 3.7 yards per carry. The Broncbusters struck for three touchdowns on four red-zone trips, highlighted by Bennett’s explosive 29-yard score. Defensively, Greg Johnson led the way with 13 tackles, and Jer’Quise “JJ” Clayton added an interception and 23 return yards. Still, the nine sacks allowed and struggles on third down (4-for-14) underscored the separation between Iowa Western’s front and the rest of the league.

Iowa Western Takeaways

The Reivers blended patience and punch. Marshall completed 21 of 30 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns, while Swinney’s 121 yards and score on 23 carries anchored a balanced 421-yard performance. Defensively, Iowa Western suffocated Garden City’s backfield with nine sacks and forced two takeaways, including Locks’ interception return that sealed control. Their offensive efficiency on third down (7-of-13) and time of possession (34:24) allowed them to dictate pace after halftime.

Matchup Breakdown

Momentum swings – Garden City’s early precision and takeaway-driven spark kept it level through 36 minutes, but Iowa Western’s consecutive touchdown drives and defensive touchdown created a 14-point swing in just under five minutes.

Physical fronts – The Reivers’ nine sacks and 218 rushing yards reflected dominance up front, while Garden City’s line battled to sustain protection and create consistency against Iowa Western’s deep rotation.

Red-zone conversion – GCCC went 3-for-4 inside the 20 and perfect through three quarters, showing its executional improvement despite limited total snaps.

Final Game Numbers

Final: Iowa Western 35, Garden City CC 21
Score by Quarters:

  • GCCC: 7 |  7  |  7  | 0 — 21
  • IWCC:  7 | 14 | 14 | 0 — 35

QB Efficiency (GCCC): Tanner Helton 11-of-25, 129 yards, 2 TD (8-yd rush, 14-yd pass, 29-yd pass), 1 INT; added 10 rushes for –9 yards. DaeOnte’ Mitchell 0-of-1, 1 INT passing; 7 rushes for 56 yards.

Explosive Plays: Bennett 29-yd TD reception (7-play, 70-yd drive); Okoro 14-yd TD catch (2-play, 16-yd drive); Helton 8-yd TD rush (11-play, 51-yd drive). Clayton 23-yd interception return; Randle Jr. 24-yd breakaway run.

Team Totals: 

GCCC: 59 plays, 251 yards (122 rush on 33 att; 129 pass), 16 first downs, 5 penalties for 40 yards, 1 takeaway / 2 turnovers, 0 sacks, 3-for-4 red zone, 4-of-14 on 3rd down, 1-of-3 on 4th.

IWCC: 77 plays, 421 yards (218 rush on 47 att; 203 pass), 27 first downs, 11 penalties for 83 yards, 2 takeaways / 1 turnover, 9 sacks, 4-for-5 red zone, 7-of-13 on 3rd, 1-of-2 on 4th.

Leaders (GCCC):

  • Rushing: John Randle Jr. 12-77; DaeOnte’ Mitchell 7-56; Helton 10–9; J’kharri Thomas 1–1.
  • Receiving: Cenard Bennett 6-86-1; Tochi Okoro 1-14-1; John Randle Jr. 2-11; Bryce Dixon 1-11; Demond Littles Jr. 1-7.
  • Defense: Greg Johnson 13 total tackles (10 solo); Jer’Quise “JJ” Clayton 8 tackles, 1 INT (23 return yards); Asher Horn 9 tackles; Austin Appiah 5 tackles; Marvin Hall 4 tackles.

Up Next

Garden City continues its road swing next Saturday, Nov. 8, traveling to Highland Community College for a 1 p.m. kickoff in Highland, Kansas.

Iowa Western returns home to prepare for another ranked battle, visiting Butler Community College in El Dorado next Saturday at 5 p.m.

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