Ballard scored two touchdowns in a 43 second span early in the fourth quarter to rally past Pella 20-17 in the season opener as heard live on KRLS2.

The Dutch struck first with a Luke Hardman two-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, and took a 7-6 lead into halftime. They made it 17-6 in the third when Hardman booted a 38-yard field goal and hit Ben Misterek on a 33-yard touchdown pass.

After that score, the Bombers took over at their own 20 yard line, then marched 80 yards in 4:48, getting in the end zone on the first play of the fourth quarter. On the very next offensive play, Hardman threw an interception, Pella’s only turnover of the game. Ballard capitalized when Mason Gatchel found Eli Rouse for a 35-yard touchdown pass to take their first lead of the game. Dutch coach Jay McKinstrey said the long drive at the end of the third was a turning point.

“Give them credit, they made a good drive. We had just gone up 17-6 and had the momentum and they were able to drive quite the distance. Our defense was playing hard and were working at, but that was a key drive for Ballard to put themselves back in it.”

Rouse was the shining star for Ballard, rushing for 209 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns, plus the game winning reception.

Hardman was 10-of-20 for 153 yards for Pella with 18 carries for 28 yards.

The Dutch start 2023 0-1 and will head to Keokuk for a non-district matchup next Friday night.