Two very familiar rivals go head to head tonight in the opening round of the Class 3A state high school football playoffs when Pella travels to Grinnell. Pella showed a level of play we hadn’t seen in their sub state win at Williamsburg and coach Jay Mckinstrey says they’ll have to do that again tonight, and even step it up another level to beat Grinnell on the road. Grinnell beat Pella 14-3 in the regular season at Pella just a few weeks ago. It was a rainy night, and Pella played most of that game without three starters due to sickness and injury. Mckinstrey says the kids are excited and ready to have another chance to play Grinnell and he feels they are ready for tonight. Two of those starters were lost after the game started forcing Pella to play with a line up they hadn’t planned on and although they’re still without leading receiver Richie Bales, they’ve known that for a week and a half which has allowed them to get other kids more prepared to play. Mckinstrey says they had chances to score in that first game but for one reason or another weren’t able to and that’s something he says they’ll have to do tonight is score when they have opportunities. The winner of tonight’s game advances to Friday’s quarterfinal round to play either Centerville or Clear Creek Amana. You can hear tonight’s game broadcast live on 92.1 FM KRLS and streamed live on kniakrls.com