JUCO: Iowa Western pulls away from Garden City for convincing 37-10 win

AFI | American Football | 10/07/2026

Iowa Western quarterback Garrett Ames (7) is caught from behind after a 59-yard run in the first quarter against Garden City on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. AUSTIN HEINEN THE NONPAREIL

The Iowa Western Reivers (4-1) turned an early deficit into a comfortable victory Saturday, scoring 27 unanswered points on the way to a 37-10 win over the visiting Garden City Community College Broncbusters (3-4) at Champions Field at Titan Stadium.

The Reivers piled up 458 yards of offense while their defense held Garden City to just 147, including only 61 through the air.

Garden City strikes first

The Broncbusters took advantage of an early Iowa Western fumble, with Elijah West-Duah scoring from four yards out for a 7-0 lead.

The response was immediate.

Quarterback Garrett Ames ripped off a 59-yard run on the next possession before Daniel Larmie finished the 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown.

Ryan Bendezu’s 32-yard field goal gave the Reivers a 10-7 lead before Tucker Rinker answered from 52 yards for Garden City.

Ames then put Iowa Western ahead for good, scoring from a yard out with 1:55 left in the half.

Reivers take control

The game changed quickly after halftime.

Ames connected with J’Marion Sanders for a 42-yard touchdown just 1:53 into the third quarter, stretching the lead to 24-10.

Dylan VanDyke took over at quarterback and found John Jones for a 34-yard touchdown six seconds into the fourth. Bendezu completed a perfect afternoon with field goals of 20 and 42 yards, finishing 3-for-3 along with four extra points.

Ames completed 7 of 15 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown and added 69 rushing yards and a score. VanDyke was 5 of 8 for 109 yards and another touchdown.

Aamir Hill led the Reivers with four catches for 101 yards, while Larmie rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown.

Defense shuts the door

Iowa Western was even more dominant defensively, limiting three Garden City quarterbacks to seven completions in 27 attempts.

Lathon Groves Jr. led the way with 12 tackles, while the Reivers recorded four sacks and two interceptions.

The highlight came from Coaleon Johnson, who made a one-handed interception in front of the Iowa Western bench and managed to get a foot down inbounds. Kwalei Carter added the other interception.

The Reivers now turn their attention to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, which visits Iowa Western after suffering a 28-21 loss to Dodge City.