The Pella High football team returns to the state’s grandest stage this afternoon for the first time in seven years for a first ever matchup with Council Bluffs Lewis Central in the Class 4A semifinals.

The Dutch are 10-1 and making their first trip to the UNI-Dome since losing the 2017 championship game to Cedar Rapids Xavier. Lewis Central is also 10-1, but brings a wealth of postseason experience to Cedar Falls. The Titans have played in the last three state championship games, winning it all in 2021 and 2023.

Coach Jay McKinstrey will be leading his 10th different Pella football team into the semifinals and has been preaching to his team that they belong with the other top teams in the state.

“Our kids believe that we belong. We believe that we belong as a coaching staff. Now we need to crank it up to a new level. This is the final four – we’ve been there in the past, and we’re trying to help our kids understand that while they haven’t been there before, a lot of our coaching staff has. We’ve asked them to trust us and trust that we know what it’s going to take to get to the title game and play well in the semis.”

Kickoff is scheduled for 4pm this afternoon at the UNI-Dome. If you can’t make it to Cedar Falls to cheer on the Dutch in person, make sure to tune in to 92.1 KRLS for complete coverage. Trevor Castle and Randy Sikkema will hit the air with pregame at 3:00.