A team that has dominated the new Class 4A in the past three seasons is set to clash with the Dutch in the Class 4A state semifinals on Thursday. Lewis Central is 10-1 overall this year and has won two of the last three state championships, including in 2023.

The Titans are led by Quarterback Brady Hetzel and his 2388 yards and 25 passing touchdowns, and defensive player Paxton Blanchard has 18 tackles for loss in 11 games. After several tests of the rushing defense, the Dutch will have to rely on their passing prevention to have success against Lewis Central.

The Titans hit a 55 yard completion in the final seconds of their state quarterfinals game last week to defeat ADM, and were the runners-up in their district after falling to Norwalk 21-7 on October 18th.

Coverage of state semifinals football for Pella begins at 3 p.m. Thursday on 92.1 KRLS from the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls.