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Having never played for a state championship or even made a trip to the Dome, tomorrow night’s class 1-A quarterfinal contest is arguably the biggest game in the 12-year history of Pella Christian football.

The Eagles have made the round of eight once before, losing on a snow-covered field in Gowrie to Prairie Valley, 28-14, in 2008.

While tomorrow night’s game has the same stakes as that contest eight years ago – a trip to the Dome – this one’s got the big fight feel.

Iowa City Regina is a six-time defending state champion and ranked number one in the state. Pella Christian has been building towards this game for three years with what is now a senior-laden lineup, and they’re ranked number two.

Eagles Assistant Coach Verlan Nikkel says that the guys can’t wait to get the ball in the air tomorrow night.

“This team has got a mission. They’ve lost the last two years to Iowa City Regina, they’re not happy about it and they’ve got a chip on their shoulder. Hopefully come Friday night, we can come out and play Eagle football.”

One of the 15 Pella Christian seniors that will be fighting to keep his high school football career going is quarterback and linebacker David Kacmarynski.

“I don’t think anyone needs any motivation to play a six-time defending state champion. They’ve been the class of low man football for six years – seven if you count this year. So we definitely have to be at the top of our game, and that’s something that everyone on the team realizes and something that plays a factor in how we prepare.”

Both the number one Regals and number two Eagles were undefeated 7-0 district champions in class 1-A. Regina did suffer a non-district loss to Cedar Rapids Xavier, who’s ranked number one in 3-A. Pella Christian is 10-0.

Tomorrow night’s game starts at 7:00 at Iowa City Regina. You’ll be able to hear the live play-by-play on 92.1 KRLS, www.kniakrls.com, and the free KRLS mobile app.

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