With the high school football season kicking off in just a couple weeks, both Pella and Pella Christian are receiving some pre season hype and are picked to be amongst the state’s best.

Despite moving up a class this fall, Pella Christian is ranked as the pre season number one team in Class 2A by the Des Moines Register. The Eagles do have a host of talent returning with 10 starters back including quarterback Kyle Nikkel who threw for 13 touchdowns and 1000 plus yards last year , receiver Trey Hugen who caught eight of those touchdowns and running back Bret Nieuwsma who rushed for 1420 yards and 15 touchdowns last fall.

Pella is ranked ninth in Class 3A according to that same poll. Coming off their best finish in school history, 10-4 and runners up in Class 3A, Pella does return eight starters from last year’s team but has some key skill positions to fill including quarterback and running back as well as some offensive and defensive line positions. Pella opens their season at Newton while Pella Christian will host former district opponent Des Moines Christian Friday August 27th.