Any time a football team loses a quarterback and an entire offensive line, there will more-than-likely be at least some setbacks the next fall season.

However, a reason for hope for the 2024 Pella Dutch will be a wealth of key skill players back to push for a second consecutive playoff berth.

Led by now-Quarterback Colin Kerndt, Head Coach Jay McKinstrey believes they have some depth and speed to make it hard on opposing defenses.

Kerndt will be joined by the rest of the 2023 receiving corps colleagues, including Tyson Barnes, Bailey Shetterly, Harrison Mullens, and Lake Cowman. Starting Running Back Emmanuel Diers is also back after scoring five total touchdowns as a sophomore last fall.

Pella opens with a scrimmage against PCM on Friday, August 23rd, with fans encouraged to bring sports drink donations. The Dutch opener is at Ballard on Friday, August 30th. Tune into Pella Dutch Football on 92.1 KRLS, kniakrls.com, and the free KNIA/KRLS mobile app, with home games on the Pella Dutch Live YouTube channel.

Key returners:
Colin Kerndt, QB (WR in 2023) – 33 catches, 655 yards, 7 TD
Tyson Barnes, WR – 50 catches, 605 yards, 4 TD
Emmanuel Diers, RB – 55 carries, 326 yards, 3 TD; 11 catches, 82 yards, TD; KR for TD
Bailey Shetterly, WR – 22 catches, 221 yards, 2 TD
Nate Warner, LB – 55 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 INT, FR
Lake Cowman – 23.5 tackles, 2 INT, 70 return yards

Schedule:
Friday, Aug 30 – 7:30PM – Away vs. Ballard
Friday, Sep 6 – 7:00PM – Keokuk
Friday, Sep 13 – 7:00PM -Indianola (Homecoming)
Friday, Sep 20 – 7:30PM – Away vs. Xavier
Friday, Sep 27 – 7:30PM – Away vs. Carlisle
Friday, Oct 4 – 7:00PM – Newton
Thursday, Oct 10 – 7:30PM – Away vs. Des Moines Hoover
Friday, Oct 18 – 7:30PM – Away vs. Bondurant-Farrar
Friday, Oct 25 – 7:00PM – Gilbert