The new year begins with a clash of longtime rivals on Eagle Lane as a pair of ranked Des Moines Christian teams travel to the Tulip City for a non-conference doubleheader today against Pella Christian.

The Eagles girls will have to contend with the No. 2 team in Class 3A Lions who have aspirations to push for a state title, while the Pella Christian boys will rematch with a Des Moines Christian team they knocked out of the district playoffs this past February and one that has been in several top ten polls across the state.

For Head Coach JD Boer, it’s his first time coaching in the long-time rivalry between traditional visitors to Wells Fargo Arena, and he’s excited to see his guys try to embrace the challenge and get a good measure of where they stand against a state tournament contender.

The Pella Christian boys have won nine of 14 matchups against the Lions since 2009 — including two Eagles playoff wins that eventually led to state tournament appearances, while the Eagles girls have split their 12 games with Des Moines Christian during that time.

Coverage from Eagle Lane begins following the Knoxville Hy-Vee Radio Coaches Corner, at approximately 11:15 on 92.1 KRLS.