Fresh off of a fourth straight state championship game appearance, the Pella football team will have their work cut out for themselves to meet increasingly lofty expectations this fall.
Head Coach Jay McKinstrey tells KNIA/KRLS Sports they are once again filling a lot of holes left by another talented senior class, with a handful of players returning in key areas, including quarterback Ryan Gustafson.
“It has been really fun to watch him grow throughout the offseason, as far as the leadership and watching him on the field this year, his confidence level has grown just an incredible amount,” he says. “I think that one year of experience was a great thing for him.”
Gustafson finished 2017 with 1,871 yards passing and 17 touchdowns. Key position players Sam Warner and Gabe Thomas both saw time in the backfield a season ago, combining for over 1,000 yards, but they will be elevated to the new 1-2 duo for the Little Dutch this season, and play a pivotal role as linebackers defensively.
Pella kicks off the year on the road at Dallas Center-Grimes, an August 24th game that can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

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