It’s a game many Pella football fans have had circled on their schedules since the new district pairings came out this past winter.

If the Little Dutch were going to contend for a third consecutive title, they would likely have to compete with or beat the team they defeated to earn their second championship last fall. No. 2 Pella and No. 3 Norwalk collide on the gridiron tonight to likely decide who will win the Class 3A District 6 top spot.

The key–as it was twice last season for the Dutch defense, is to stop four-year starting quarterback Brady Brandsfield, who may break every major state passing record on the books when his career is over.

Head Coach Jay McKinstrey says while they’ve had great success in containing the all-state passer throughout his career, they will have to keep that up in order to walk away with a big 7th win.

“He is just an outstanding football player, and you’ve got to stop the quarterback” McKinstrey says. “He can run the ball very well, he showed that in the playoff run last year, they certainly ran him a lot more, he certainly had big running games in addition to him being able to throw the ball.”

“He’s just a great athlete–experienced, smart, makes good decisions, and he’s been around a long time.”

Brandsfield has struggled to throw with much success against the Dutch D, with 36/81, 414 yds, 2 TD, 6 INT, and a 80.7 rating in three games. Against the rest of the state, he’s been dynamic, with 590/997, 7931 yds, 85 TD, 22 INT, and 149.7 rating. Pella has best scoring defense in Class 3A, allowing just under five points per game.

Coverage for tonight’s top ranked, undefeated matchup between the Dutch and the Warriors begins at 7 p.m. with the Midtown Tire Team Radio Pregame Show on 92.1 KRLS, and kickoff is scheduled at 7:30. Andrew Schneider and Randy Sikkema will call the action from Norwalk.

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