As the football postseason pushes near, the Pella football team will be relying on defense to make another deep playoff run.

Pella has improved to the 11th best scoring defense out of 54 teams in 3A — and have been especially dominant after giving up seven touchdowns in the first two games against Top 10 teams Harlan and Dallas Center-Grimes.

The strongest groups on the field for the Dutch continue to be their impressive defensive line and linebacking corps, who had six sacks last week against Bondurant-Farrar.

Kody Huisman, who has been subject to several double teams and focus from opposing offensive lines, broke out with three of those sacks, while Levi Roose had another impressive game behind the line of scrimmage after scoring a defensive touchdown in weeks four and five. Roose is currently tied for the lead in 3A with those two scores and 14th in tackles for loss with 10.

The Pella front seven will need to be ready for a Nevada Cubs team that averages 436 yards in total offense and 40 points per game. The two will clash for the Class 3A District 7 title this Friday in Nevada, a game that can be heard on 92.1 KRLS.