The front five that paved the way for over 5,000 yards of offense last season for the Pella High football team is 80% gone.
The lone returning starter is Ross Vande Weerd, and coach Jay McKinstrey is expecting big things from the senior.
“He’s a good young man and a good player that works very hard. He puts a lot of passion into the game of football. We’re hoping that he can be a good leader up front for us.”
Candidates to join Vande Weerd on the offensive line this season are Jake Van Gorp, who came in to last year’s championship game against Norwalk at center, as well as Isiah Roozenboom, Ryan Maanen, Jake Heerema, Cade Van Vliet, Trevor Nelson and Joel Byrum.
Another option is Keegan Poole, but McKinstrey is counting on him to clog the middle for the Dutch D.
“He’s a returning honorable mention all-district player last year for us at nose guard. We expect him to put a lot of energy into defense so we’re not sure how much time we’ll get on offense. If we need him, he’ll learn it and play it. But there’s a lot of energy being spent where he’s playing on defense with the things we expect him to do.”
McKinstrey says that the same group of players who are in the mix on the offensive line are also contending for playing time on the defensive line.
Pella opens its season in one week at home against Oskaloosa. Fans can get their first look at this year’s offensive and defensive line, and the rest of the Little Dutch, at tonight’s annual Gatorade scrimmage.