The No. 6 story is a compilation of moments for the Pella football team in their return to form this past fall, as the Dutch knocked off two No. 1 teams on their way to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season.

The Pella High football team jumped out to a 17-0 lead, held off a late Cedar Rapids Xavier charge, and held on to beat the defending state champs 31-21 in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS on September 15th.

Hardman finished 20-of-31 passing for 307 yards and three touchdowns, all to Kerndt, who had four catches for 152 yards.

In a stunner of a senior night, the Pella football team kept their postseason hopes alive and toppled a top-ranked foe as the Dutch handled #1 in 4A Bondurant-Farrar 40-13, as heard live on the KRLS2 stream on October 14th.

The presumed Class 4A District 4 champions came in scored first after a failed fourth-and-short try by the Dutch in the first quarter. In unexpected fashion, Pella scored the next 40 points of the game, taking advantage of critical turnovers and showcasing one of Iowa’s most explosive passing attacks.

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

Luke Hardman finished with 359 yards through the air and five total touchdowns, Tyson Barnes caught eight passes for 188 yards and two scores, and Colin Kerndt added 127 yards receiving and a touchdown. The Dutch defense forced four giveaways and scored on a bad snap fumble into the end zone.

The wins were critical in ensuring Pella would get to the playoffs, which they accomplished following a wild win over Gilbert in week nine. Pella would fall to the Bluejays in the Round of 16.