A remarkable, if not improbable, fall season officially comes to an end at Pella High School tonight as the No. 3 Dutch football team attempts to come home with the program’s fourth state championship trophy in the Class 4A finals in Cedar Falls.

Pella will have to topple undefeated, No. 1 North Polk for that chance in the state championship game at the UNI Dome. The Dutch navigated their way to the finals with a series of close wins throughout the 2024 calendar, and used several big plays and a key 4th and goal stop to overcome the defending champions from Lewis Central in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, the Comets have soared into the finals, as the boys from Alleman dominated Fort Dodge, Xavier, and North Scott on their way to the last game of the season with a postseason average margin of victory of nearly 27 points per contest.

Pella’s defense will be tested by dual threat standout Nathan Feldmann and his 2625 combined passing and rushing yards and 35 total touchdowns.

The legendary career of Pella Head Coach Jay McKinstrey is also closing tonight after announcing his retirement this past winter. McKinstrey stands at 237 career wins and led the Dutch to three title victories in Class 3A from 2014-2016. Pella is playing in its sixth-ever state finals game tonight.

Coverage of the state championship football game begins with the Jeromy Dingeman Concrete Football Friday Night Awards Show at 5:00 this evening, with pregame coverage beginning from the UNI Dome at 6:30 this evening on 92.1 KRLS. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in Cedar Falls.