For the second straight week the Pella football team faces the challenge of re grouping after a tough loss and trying to stay in the post season hunt., but they may have to do that without some of their leaders.  Josh Pringle was ill Friday and unable to be with the team but should return this week, however Andy Vanderbroek suffered a dislocated elbow and his return is doubtful and leading receiver Richie Bales re aggrevated an earlier hamstring injury and his return is questionable as well.  Coach Jay Mckinstrey says that’s tough on everyone but with three games remaining and a playoff spot still attainable they’ll look to senior leadership to keep everyone on task.  “If those kids can’t return we’ll need to get some guys prepared to take their spots until they can return.  I just think that falls on our coaches and our senior leaders as far as keeping everyone’s heads up and keeping everyone going forward”.  

He says although it’s been tough these last few weeks the kids need to stay positive.   “The reality is even though we’ve lost three of our last four games, we’ve been in every game, we’ve been competitive in every game and we’ve had opportunities to win all those games but just didn’t get it done.  We just gotta keep going, gotta keep workin hard and gotta persevere through those moments and show some courage and I think good things will happen for this football team”. 

Pella is 3-3 on the season and 1-3 in Class 3A District 6.  With  three games remaining the Little Dutch can still earn a post season  berth  but must win those final three games.  Pella will try to get back on track when they travel to winless South Tama Friday night.

Tags: , , , ,