Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Bryce Anderson of Iowa Central makes a catch against Garden City inside Dodger Stadium earlier this month.

The Iowa Central football team will have chance to reach six wins when they compete in the Game One Bowl against an old rival next weekend.

The Tritons received an invitation to play No. 3 (NJCAA Div. III) North Dakota State College of Science on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls. The game will kick off at noon.

Former rivals as members of the Midwest Football Conference, Iowa Central (5-6 overall) and the Wildcats (9-1) have not played since 2013, when the Tritons won by a final of 19-13. That league disbanded after the 2013 season, and NDSCS now competes at the non-scholarship level of junior college football.

The postseason has been kind of ICCC head coach Jesse Montalto, as he is unbeaten in bowl games between stints at Ellsworth and Iowa Central. The Tritons have not lost a postseason contest in the last 13 years, including a 44-9 victory over Snow here last year in this game.

A string of close losses to ranked teams — including No. 1 Iowa Western and third-ranked Hutchinson — left Iowa Central at 1-4 through five games. They recovered, winning four of five down the stretch. That comeback included victories over Garden City and No. 1 (Div. III) College of DuPage.

Tyler Smith and Ty Purdy have split time at quarterback, with Smith throwing for 971 yards and Purdy 659 with a combined 18 touchdowns. Cyncir Bowers, a freshman, ranks among the national leaders in rushing yards and all-purpose yards, while Austin Aybamidele is the top receiver for the Tritons.

North Dakota Science last played in a bowl at Cedar Falls in 2009, defeating Joliet, 28-17. They won the Minnesota College Athletic Conference title this fall, with their only loss coming to DuPage.

Michael Douglas Jr. leads the offense, rushing for 544 yards and six touchdowns. The Wildcats average 31 points per game, with Jacob Mattick throwing for 12 TDs and 891 yards.

This year marks the 46th edition of the Game One Bowl, which was most recently the Graphic Edge Bowl. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.