DODGE CITY, Kan. — It was the start the Iowa Central football team wanted here on Saturday, but once again, not the finish.

The Tritons (1-4 overall) built a 21-0 lead after the first quarter but weren’t able to hold on, dropping a crushing 25-24 contest to Dodge City (3-2).

Iowa Central has now lost four straight games. During that painful stretch, the Tritons have lost two games by one point, one contest by three points, and fell by seven points to No. 2 Iowa Western in overtime.

“We had opportunities to make plays in third- and fourth-down situations,” said ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto. “We had a few dropped passes, pressures and we gave up too many big plays when we needed to step up and get off the field when we had the chance.”

Tyler Smith connected with Austin Ayaboamidele from 76 yards out to put the Tritons on the board first at 7-0. Smith then found Aikil Mattox on a seven-yard strike.

The Tritons took a three-touchdown lead on a 12-yard Smith touchdown run.

“We came out and scored on the second play on a zone read with Austin running free down the sideline,” Montalto said. “Smith then slipped a pass to Anderson on the next possession.

“We topped it off with a crazy run by Tyler.”

Dodge City’s Emanuel Aguilar hit a 24-yard field goal for the home squad’s first points. Derrick Shanks had a one-yard TD run, and Aguilar made it 21-13 at the half with a 26-yard field goal.

“They just kept chipping away,” Montalto said. “We had a couple of drops and couldn’t move the ball consistently, and we gave up big plays.

“We had opportunities, but couldn’t convert.”

Iowa Central’s Noah Gustafson kicked a 26-yard field goal for the first points in the second half, pushing the Tritons back up by double figures.

Dodge City’s Ryan Scott then had a three-yard touchdown scamper with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The Conquistadors scored the winning touchdown with 1:02 left in the contest when Gavynn Parker hit Ahmir Culmer from 19 yards out.

Smith finished 22-for-34 for 200 yards.

“We have to keep getting better,” Montalto said. “Our players probably have some doubt after so many (close losses), but as coaches, we have to make sure they continue to believe.

“We’ve had two one-point games and went to overtime against Iowa Western. Bottom line, though: We’re not getting the job done and we have to get back on track.

“It doesn’t get easier and no one is going to feel sorry for us.”

The Tritons will face DuPage at noon inside Dodger Stadium on Saturday.