Everything that could go right for the Pella football team last night did, as they scored seven first half touchdowns in rout to a 57-0 drubbing of Knoxville at Historic Ken Locke Stadium, a game heard live both on KNIA and KRLS.
A quick three and out for the Panthers to start the game led to a short field for Pella and they capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run by Aaron Downs. It didn’t take long for the floodgates to open, as the next six drives all ended in touchdowns. The Pella offense was spreading the wealth, as Gabe Thomas, Sam Warner, Ryan Gustafson, River Baker, Josh Warner, and Logan Shetterly all found the end zone along with one more from Downs to make it 50-0 at the break. Nick Schmitz had the cherry on top in the second half with a 14-yard receiving touchdown from Nick Grandia for the 57-0 win. Gustafson finished four of eight through the air for 111 yards and three scores while Baker led the rushing attack with 70 yards and the one rushing touchdown.
Head Coach Jay McKinstrey praised the team’s ability to get production from all around and that makes for a squad that is hard to defend.
Knoxville had a tough time getting anything going offensively coughing the ball up four times and numerous fumbled snaps. Brady Pearson led the way with 44 rushing yards on nine carries. Mike Hudson had two receptions for 28 yards. Head coach of the Panthers Eric Kellar was pleased with his team continuing to fight, despite the lopsided score.
Pella opens up district play with a win to move to 5-0 while Knoxville drops to 2-3. Both teams enjoy homecoming next week, as Pella welcomes South Tama to town and Knoxville hosts Grinnell.

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