Photo by David Robbins

It was a thriller that came down to the wire as the Dutch were able to hold off a late comeback attempt and earn a 24-22 homecoming win in a top ten showdown over #5 Indianola Friday, as heard live on 92.1 KRLS for the Pella version.

The #6 in 4A Dutch would open with an 85-yard screen pass with Emmanuel Diers flexing early to get up 6-0, and the junior followed that up shortly after with a 51-yard run to get a 12-0 advantage.

But Pella would fumble the opening half kickoff and open the door for Indianola, who would score the game’s next 10 points, before Diers broke a 70 yard score. The Dutch struggled with point-after tries, going 0-for-4. Pella would fend off and deny the Indians a pair of two-point tries after touchdowns, including the final meaningful play with :31 seconds remaining.

Diers finished with 330 total yards and three touchdowns and Rex Rhamy had an interception and pass deflection in the fourth quarter that would ultimately save the game.

Pella improves to 3-0 and heads to Xavier next Friday.