Photo courtesy of Troy L. Hugen Photography

The Pella Christian football team scored early and often in a dominant 62-12 victory at Cardinal head live on 92.1 KRLS Friday night.

After a touchback and an interception on the first play of the game, the Eagles offense needed just three plays for Cooper Spronk to punch in a 22-yard rushing touchdown one minute into the contest. Pella Christian kept their foot on the gas from there, adding five more touchdowns in the first quarter. Brecken Ritzert connected with Camden Parker for two passing scores in the opening quarter, Johnson Morgan ran in a 17-yard touchdown, and Theo Hugen added an 8-yard rushing score to give the Eagles a 41-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Landon Nunnikhoven added an 89-yard kickoff return touchdown just before halftime to extend Pella Christian’s advantage to 48-6 heading into the locker room. The Eagles capped off their scoring in the third quarter with a 16-yard Spronk rushing score and a seven-yard Jude Lubbers rushing touchdown. 

Helping fuel Pella Christian’s scoring onslaught was a staunch defensive effort that included four interceptions from Ritzert, Spronk, Caleb Volk, and Riley Vincent. Eagles head coach Rich Kacmarynski was pleased with how well the defense played and hopes to see that continue throughout the rest of the season.

“Yeah, I thought our defense really stepped up and really played the ball well. I think that’s great ball hawking skills by our defense, which will hopefully continue into the end of the regular season and into the playoffs.”

Pella Christian improved to 2-5 overall and 2-2 in district play with the win, and will return home next Friday to wrap up the regular season against Colfax-Mingo.