After a 5-0 start to the season, the #5 in 4A Pella football team has arguably their toughest test yet with #1 Newton coming to town for a district showdown at Central College.

The 4-1 Cardinals pulled away down the stretch against Bondurant-Farrar to also earn a first district win, with their only loss coming to #2 in ADM in a low scoring week one contest.

Caden Klein is the primary target to stop for the Dutch, as his 1454 yards combined passing and throwing ranks 2nd in Class 4A, and he’s coming off of a six touchdown performance against the Bluejays last week. Colin Kerndt ranks third on that list (1233 yards) and Emmanuel Diers leads all of 4A in total yards from scrimmage (rushing/receiving) at 1055 yards.

Pella has lost two close games against Newton in a row, including a 21-18 defeat in 2023. Coverage of this district showdown begins at 6:30 this evening on the KRLS2 stream at KNIAKRLS.com and Pella Dutch Live with the Pella High School broadcast team; the Cardinals version can be heard on KRLS3 at KNIAKRLS.com and the free KNIA/KRLS mobile app.