While a 14-7 loss last Friday to Gilbert cost the Pella High football team an undefeated regular season and an outright Class 4A District 4 championship, it didn’t impact their playoff positioning. With an 8-1 record, the Dutch maintained their number three ranking in the final RPI and earned the right to host Clear Creek-Amana tonight in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Clippers are 6-3 and also co-district champions, earning the three-way split with Xavier and North Scott. After a 2-2 non-district performance, they won four of their five district games, losing to the Lancers 28-7, but beating the Saints 28-24. Xavier is the only common opponent between Pella and Clear Creek-Amana, with the Dutch holding on for a 21-19 win on September 20th.

Tonight’s game features a pair of dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks. CCA junior Conlan Poynton has amassed 1,119 passing yards, 843 rushing yards and 28 total touchdowns, tied for the most in class 4A. Pella senior Colin Kerndt had 1,373 passing yards, 592 rushing yards and 23 total touchdowns.

In fact, coach Jay McKinstrey says that there are a lot of similarities between the two teams.

“Defensively they look like us and they run a lot of the same things that we do. Offensively, their quarterback scrambles a lot and runs and he’s a good thrower. They have good receivers and a good running back, we’re very similar. It’s almost like you’re playing yourself a little bit.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 tonight at Ron & Joyce Schipper Stadium on the Central College campus in Pella. It’s the first home playoff game for the Dutch since a 6-0 loss to Grinnell in the round of 16 in 2020. Trevor Castle and Randy Sikkema will provide the play-by-play, beginning with pregame coverage at 6:30 on 92.1 KRLS and Pella Dutch Live on YouTube.