A game with massive playoff implications closes out the 2024 regular season tonight for the Pella High football team as they host Gilbert at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium on the Central College campus.

The Dutch are 8-0 and ranked third in the IAHSAA’s Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), which is used to set the field for the 16 team playoffs that start next week. The Tigers are hot on their tail, ranked 6th in the RPI with a 7-1 record – their lone loss coming to Bondurant-Farrar two weeks ago, 31-28. Pella rallied to beat the Bluejays 28-21 last week.

Tonight’s winner will be crowned Class 4A District 4 champion and be guaranteed a first round home playoff game next Friday. For Pella, a win also assures themselves of a second round home game if they advance. A loss could send them on the road for one or both of those games.

Dutch coach Jay McKinstrey says his team is focused and ready for a chance to win a district title.

“They know this is a big game. They know they have an opportunity to play in a big game like this, and we’ve been here before this year. I’ve sensed it throughout the week that there aren’t any distractions and they’ll be ready to go.”

On the field, Pella will have its hands full with a Gilbert attack that leads class 4A in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns by a wide margin. As a team, they average 363.5 yards per game on the ground, paced by senior Will Hawthorne, who averages 213 yards and has scored a whopping 24 touchdowns.

Pella brings a more balanced offensive attack, as they’re in the top 15 in class 4A in both rushing and passing yards and they’ve racked up the second most first downs.

The two teams have met only once previously, a 33-23 Pella victory in last year’s regular season finale.

Kickoff tonight is at 7:00, and we’ll have live coverage on KRLS2 and Pella Dutch Live on YouTube, as Trevor Castle and Randy Sikkema call the action beginning with pregame at 6:30. If you do come out to the stadium, stick around afterwards for a fireworks show put on by Central College to honor the final regular season game in Coach McKinstrey’s career.