With three state championships, a runner up, a semifinals finish, and a playoff appearance every year, the argument could be made that Pella had the team of the decade in Class 3A for football.

And has 2020 marks the beginning of a new decade, it appears the tradition of excellence at Pella football is set to continue. The Little Dutch have gained attention in preseason polls and with several key returning players, the boys in green and white may make another push for a run to the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.

Leading the offense will be quarterback Ryan Mace, who had 1795 yards and 19 touchdowns passing last fall, and Nolan Clayberg figures to be the key playmaker, with 588 yards on the ground last season. On defense, the Dutch will be keyed by returners Kody Huisman and Levi Roose on the front, who combined for 31.5 tackles for loss last year, and linebacker Grant Nelson, who tallied a team high 45.5 tackles in 2019.

Pella opens the season in a top ten showdown on the road at Dallas Center-Grimes on Friday, August 28th.