Trailing 21-3 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Pella High football team pulled within 21-18 of Newton, but a fourth down pass fell incomplete and the Cardinals picked up one last first down to earn the victory in a game heard live on KRLS2.

Newton led 7-3 at half, then used a 15-play 86-yard drive to make it 14-3, stopped the Dutch, and Cody Klein got loose for a 92-yard touchdown run to seemingly put the game out of reach.

Pella battled back, using the short passing game to drive down the field and set up Luke Hardman’s two-yard touchdown run and two point conversion. The Dutch defense then got its first stop of the half, and the offense used a 62-yard pass from Hardman to Colin Kerndt to set up Hardman’s 14-yard scoring strike to Bailey Shetterly.

Newton fumbled on the ensuing possession, and the Dutch started inside the Cardinal 35 before mistakes thwarted the comeback. A holding penalty negated a long run and miscommunication in the backfield caused a fumbled snap on third and one. That set up the fourth and four pass that fell incomplete to seal Pella’s fate. Coach Jay McKinstrey hurt for his guys afterwards.

“You know, we had an opportunity at the end there and I really felt like we were going to get it done. I really feel bad for our kids. They put it out there in the second half and really played hard, put themselves back in position to win that game, to fall just a little bit short, that’s a tough one.”

Newton rushed for 357 yards on the night, with quarterback Caleb Mattes going for 165 and running back Cody Klein adding 179. Pella’s best offense was through the air, with Hardman completing 20-of-36 passes for 225 yards.

Both teams are 3-3 and 1-1 in district play. The Dutch will host Des Moines Hoover for homecoming next Friday night.