The probable Class 2A District 8 title game takes place tonight in Pella, as the Pella Christian football team hosts PCM. The Mustangs are 5-0 and have steamrolled the competition thus far, while Pella Christian is 4-1. Both teams are 3-0 in the district and coming off of lopsided shut-out wins last week.

Mustangs’ head coach Greg Bonnett says the team that can control the edges on defense gives itself the best chance to win.

“Really, I think the ‘X-factor’ is the defensive end position on both sides of the ball,” says Bonnett. “I think if our defensive ends are having a great night, it creates problems for Pella Christian, and if their defensive ends are having a big night, it’s going to create problems for us. I would definitely keep your eye on those two positions.”

Pella Christian head coach Rich Kacmarynski agrees, adding that ball security is even more vital than usual in a game of this importance.

“We always talk about turnover margin, but in a big game, that just gets magnified. Lets say you go into the ballgame, even Steven – they’re going to get ten possessions; we’re going to get ten possessions – well if one team turns the ball over, now all the sudden one team has eleven possessions and the other’s got nine. That’s two extra possessions, and then it’s just a matter of statistics,” says Kacmarynski.

“So I think the biggest stat will probably turnover margin, and then maybe the next biggest stat will be third down conversion – who can make plays on third down when they need to.”

Live coverage of the game will be available in two outlets, with Jamie Brockman and Nate Van Wyk providing the Pella Christian perspective on 92.1 fm KRLS, and David Hecht and Mark Amadeo covering the PCM perspective on kniakrls.com.

Pregame shows begin at 7:00 with kickoff from Pella Christian High School is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday night

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