The Pleasantville football team did just enough to defeat Pella Christian for the first time since 2007 Friday night, as they picked up a 20-13 victory in both teams’ Class 1A District 6 opener heard live on the KRLS2 stream at KNIAKRLS.com.

The Trojans struck for the first two scores of the game, starting with Braylon Bingham’s 41-yard touchdown pass to Caylor Jones midway through the first quarter. Pleasantville’s second score came with 1:48 left in the second quarter, as JJ Phillips found paydirt from six-yards out to extend the lead to 14-0. The Eagles answered with 23 seconds left in the second quarter, as Brecken Ritzert found Landon Fransman for a 51-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit back to seven heading into halftime. 

After getting an interception on the first drive of the second half, Pella Christian again cut into the Trojans’ lead, this time with Ritzert finding Camden Parker for a six-yard touchdown. Pleasantville maintained the lead at 14-13 after the Eagles’ extra point attempt missed the upright wide right. The Trojans extended their advantage as Bingham’s quarterback sneak from a yard out pushed the score to 20-13 with 1:04 left in the third quarter. Both offenses had multiple opportunities in the fourth quarter to add points to the scoreboard, but neither team was able to consistently move the ball as Pleasantville held on for the win.

The Trojans improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the district with the victory, and will prepare for another tough test at Sigourney-Keota on Friday. Pella Christian fell to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in district action, and will look for their first win on Friday at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont.