A pair of longtime rival Christian schools are competing for the right to go back to Wells Fargo Arena this weekend at Pleasantville High School. #6 in 2A Pella Christian will clash with #7 Des Moines Christian for a spot in the final eight of Class 2A, just about a month after the teams locked horns at the state tournament venue in a non-conference regular season tilt.

The two schools are familiar with each other — annually renewing a regular season rivalry, but have less frequently seen each other on the road to The Well. The Eagles have the all-time series advantage since 2009 9-7, but the Lions have strung together two consecutive wins, including a 57-46 victory on January 24th. Pella Christian led early in that contest 8-0, but were dominated for the remainder of the contest from that point on.

The postseason history has been kind to the Eagles in the rivalry, as Pella Christian knocked out their counterparts in Urbandale in the 2020 District Finals and 2015 Substate Finals.

A new chapter in the Lions/Eagles rivalry will be written Saturday in the Class 2A Substate Finals with a State Tournament bid on the line. The Eagles are seeking their 16th trip to the final eight of Class 2A since 1990, while Des Moines Christian is aiming to qualify for the 9th time, all coming since 1997, as well as back-to-back appearances after earning a bid last winter.