It wasn’t pretty, but Pella Christian caught fire late and finally put away a much-improved Clarinda team 24-6 Friday night in Pella in a game heard live on kniakrls.com.

Both teams had multiple chances to gain an edge throughout the first half, as the game was played primarily inside the 50 yard line on both sides of the field, but both defenses stood their ground. Pella Christian struck first with :53 remaining in the first quarter when Nate Tvedt broke loose for a 31-yard touchdown run. However, that would be the lone first half score as Pella Christian led 7-0 at halftime.

Clarinda answered back on a 28-yard pass play with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter, but the P.A.T. was no good, leaving the Eagles with a 7-6 lead. The play of the game came with just under two minutes remaining in the third quarter with the outcome still up for grabs, when Tvedt scored his second touchdown of the night.

From there the Eagles got on the right track. Following a Cardinal turnover, Caleb Fredrickson, who was playing for an injured Caleb Morgan, put the game out of reach at the midway point of the fourth quarter.

The Eagles added one more score on a 25-yard field goal from Will Vande Voort. Pella Christian’s defense was strong all night, forcing five turnovers – three fumbles and two interceptions – and held the Cardinals to just 231 total yards; only 92 of which came on the ground. Tvedt led the Eagles ground attack with 134 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries.

Pella Christian improved to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in Class 2A District 8 and will travel to I-35 Friday night.