Despite continued improvements Friday night, the Pella Christian football team was unable to keep up with Sigourney Keota in a 42-21 loss heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Cobras jumped out to a big lead in the first half, as running back Isaac Bruns scored once in the first quarter and twice in the second quarter to put the Eagles in a 21-0 hole. Pella Christian pulled back within 21-7 with 2:42 left on the clock in the second quarter, when Brecken Ritzert connected with Landon Fransman for a 25-yard touchdown. Sigourney-Keota answered with another score with 20 seconds left in the half, but Landon Nunnikhoven’s 46-yard return on the ensuing kick-off set up a Ritzert to Fransman 33-yard touchdown strike with five seconds left in the second quarter to bring the Eagles’ deficit to 28-14 at the intermission. 

Out of halftime, Pella Christian surprised the Cobras by recovering an onside kick to maintain their momentum, but were unable to capitalize on the resulting offensive possession. After a scoreless third quarter, Bruns scored twice more to give Sigourney Keota a 42-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter. Ritzert added his third passing touchdown of the night with just over four minutes left in the game, this time finding Camden Parker for a 42-yard strike to cap off the scoring. 

Pella Christian fell to 1-5 overall and 1-2 in the district, and will look to bounce back next week on the road at Cardinal.