Pella scored 37 unanswered points en route to a 45-21 win over Carlisle last night in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Little Dutch fell behind 21-8 with less than a minute to go in the first quarter, but it was all Pella from there in a game that many people believe will ultimately determine the class 3-A district 6 championship.

Junior Ryan Gustafson was 12-of-22 passing for 274 yards and three touchdowns, part of an offensive explosion for coach Jay McKinstrey’s squad.

“The two things in football right now that create most wins are turnovers and explosive plays. Those are plays over so many yards on the run and so many yards on the pass. That’s the stat that everybody’s talking about right now and I think they’re right. I really do believe that and we showed it tonight.”

Four of Pella’s six touchdowns were explosive plays, 24 and 66 yard catches by Avery Van Zee, a 51-yard screen pass to Sam Warner, and a 27-yard scamper by Reece Schnell. Van Zee also added two one-yard runs for a four-touchdown game.

While the explosive plays may make the headlines and the highlight reels, Pella’s defense rose up to the challenge. Carlisle came in averaging well over 500 yards and 50 points during their 3-0 start, and the Little Dutch limited them to just 236 yards last night.

Pella is now 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in district play. They’ll host Grinnell for homecoming next Friday.