The offensive formula that has worked to get the Pella High football team to its fourth straight championship game is the one they hope will help them hoist the trophy again tomorrow night.

The Little Dutch have used a four-headed rushing attack led by seniors Reece Schnell and Avery Van Zee, and also featuring juniors Sam Warner and Gabe Thomas. That ground game has racked up over 2,600 yards at a nearly 6-yard-per-carry average this season.

Through the air, junior Ryan Gustafson has thrown for better than 1,600 yards with 16 touchdowns spread out to 7 different receivers, many coming on big plays.

Offensive Coordinator Blaine Forysthe says that’s the same recipe that the Little Dutch are hoping to cook up against Cedar Rapids Xavier with the title on the line.

“Getting Avery out into space, hopefully get Aaron (Downs) and Curtis (Ware) some catches as well, that will open up the running game for us to give Reece and Avery some carries, and Gus as well. And then we have two other running backs in Sam and Gabe that can carry the load for us as well. We have the weapons and we have the athletes to do that, but we need to get into a groove and make sure we’re spreading them out and also sticking to what’s been our identity this year.”

The Little Dutch have scored 27 or more points in every game this season except their 10-7 to Dallas Center-Grimes in week two.

They’re 11-1 on the year, and will face 12-0 Cedar Rapids Xavier tomorrow night for the state championship.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00, and you can hear the action live on 92.1 KRLS, beginning with the Jeromy Dingeman Concrete Football Friday Night Radio Preview Show at 5:00 live from outside the UNI-Dome in the KNIA/KRLS Lil’ Big Red Radio.