When Iowa Central needed to move the ball and salt the game away, they left the ball in the hands of Byron Jarrett.

And the quarterback delivered.

Jarrett, a former standout at Des Moines Hoover, used his legs to help put together an 18-play drive in the fourth quarter that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run as the No. 10 Tritons topped ninth-ranked New Mexico Military here Saturday in the Graphic Edge Bowl at Dodger Stadium.

For his efforts, which included 105 yards passing and 60 yards rushing, Jarrett was named the offensive MVP.

"It's just crazy," he said. "A year ago, I was filling out job applications wondering what I was going to do. But I put my faith in the coaches here and they put their trust in me. It just feels amazing and incredible."

Jarrett hit Jayce Levy for a TD score early in the fourth that gave Iowa Central a 17-14 lead. When they got the ball back after a stop by the defense, the Tritons went to a run-heavy attack led by their quarterback.

Of the 18 plays, Jarrett carried the ball on nine of them while also completing two passes. 

Iowa Central head coach Jesse Montalto, who won his seventh consecutive bowl game overall, said they asked Jarrett if he needed a break.

"We told him we could run something different, but he wanted the ball in his hands," Montalto said.

Jarrett agreed.

"Yeah, I wasn't giving it up," he said. "I'm a big guy, but I'm athletic, too."

Jarrett is expected to be one of several players returning for the Tritons in the fall after winning the final three games of the season. 

"We really came together," he said. "We had several new guys these last few weeks playing, but they listened and worked hard to improve. We've got some big things planned in the fall."

-By Dana Becker