Our top moment from the athletes at Eagle Lane this past academic year takes us as far as any of our local football teams traveled this fall, and it was a trip worth making. Pella Christian moved back in Class 1A football final four after toppling undefeated Bellevue in a 23-21 state quarterfinals classic heard live on 92.1 KRLS on November 2nd.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE GAME:

The Eagles recovered the opening kickoff, scored first on a Nathan De Bruin FG, and traded scores with the Comets in the first half before scoring 10 points in the final two minutes before the break.

Pella Christian’s defense turned up the pressure in the second half, with Luke Mulder racking up 2.5 tackles for loss as part of the effort and De Bruin picking off a Bellevue pass and hitting a field goal in the 4th quarter to take a nine-point lead.

The Comets scored late in the 4th with 4:42 remaining, but the Eagles were able to get the first downs they needed to clinch the win.

Pella Christian was led all over the stat sheet by De Bruin — a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals, recovered the early fumble on the opening kickoff, had an interception on defense, and racked up six catches for 64 yards on offense. Dan Jungling was 13 of 17 passing with 144 yards in the air, and had 110 yards on 17 carries on the ground. Noah Treimer had 147 total yards of offense and a touchdown.

The Eagles season came to a close in the UNI Dome for the second straight season, as they fell the Dike New-Hartford in the state semifinals.