It took all 48 minutes and then some to determine a winner in the Highway 163 rivalry Friday night, but it was Pella Christian who walked away 29-28 winners over PCM in a game broadcast live on KNIAKRLS.com and the Pella Christian YouTube Channel.

Benny Schirz put the Eagles up 7-0 midway through the first quarter with a two yard rushing touchdown. The Mustangs responded with two rushing scores from Adrien Robbins and another from Gavin Van Gorp to take a 21-7 lead at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, Eagles quarterback Caleb Van Arendonk’s first career varsity touchdown pass to Camden Parker from 33 yards out made it 21-14 with 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter. With just a minute left in regulation, Schirz again found the endzone, this time from 25 yards out, to tie the game at 21-21 and send it to overtime.

Pella Christian was intercepted on their drive in the first overtime, but extended the game when Keegan Fopma blocked a PCM fourth and goal field goal attempt from the one yard line. In double overtime, Robbins powered in his third rushing touchdown to put the Mustangs up 28-21. Needing to answer, the Eagles turned to Schirz who scored his third touchdown of the night to make it 28-27. Pella Christian went back to the senior running back for the two-point conversion and Schirz muscled his way past the goal line to give the Eagles the one-point win.

Pella Christian improved to 2-0 on the season, and are back on the road next Friday at Class 1A #8 ranked Grundy Center. PCM fell to 1-1 on the year, and they are also on the road next Friday at Class 3A #2 Nevada.