While it wasn’t the start they were hoping for, Pella was able to get their offense kickstarted in the final three quarters in a 31-17 win over Keokuk, heard live on 92.1 KRLS Friday.

The Dutch took the long trek southeast seeking their first win and gave up a few big plays early to fall behind 10-0. Keokuk had the football for a third drive, before a Jack Briggs interception and return to the one yard line flipped the game on its head. Following the turnover, the Dutch scored the next three touchdowns in the contest to build a 22-7 lead. The Chiefs put together a drive, led by Brenton Hoard, to score just before the break. Pella marched 80 yards out of the halftime break with authority to extend their lead to two scores, and a Luke Hardman field goal early in the 4th quarter got the contest to its final margin.

Emmanuel Diers rushed for 117 yards on 11 carries and Luke Hardman accounted for four total touchdowns, including passes to Tyson Barnes and Bailey Shetterly. Pella improves to 1-1 and heads to Indianola next week.