After navigating a tough slate to move to 4-0, the Pella football team will try to knock off Carlisle as district play begins this evening. The #4 in 4A Dutch will try to solve a physical running team that enjoys ball control, as the Wildcats average 167 yards per game and five yards per carry. Pella Head Coach Jay McKinstrey believes their 0-4 start is deceiving, as they were able to enjoy a measure of success against most of their opponents until some self-imposed mistakes ended their chances for victory.

“It doesn’t necessarily matter what that record is…everyone seems to play better in that first district game and because everybody’s got a shot, and Carlisle is extremely physical, they’re no different than they are every year — we can it the Advil game,” he says.

Pella is 12-3 against Carlisle since 2007. Coverage begins at 6:30 this evening on KRLS2 at KNIAKRLS.com.