After four straight dominating shutout victories, the 2nd ranked Pella football team should face their toughest test to date tonight as they travel to Mount Pleasant for a battle between the two undefeated teams in the district that could end up determining the eventual district champion.

Pella coach Jay Mckinstrey says Mount Pleasant has some very talented players and they’ve been battle tested already this season. He says they have three starters who are are 6’7″ tall and their quarterback is 6″6″ and can throw the football. He also highlights notable players like Henry Krieger Coble and Darian Cotton who are both division one recruits and says the Panthers not only have heigth but also team speed that can match Pella’s. He says the Panthers have played the tougher schedule so far as well with a close loss to Clear Creek Amana and a loss to top ranked Williamsburg.

Mckinstrey says even though their schedule has been a little light to start the season, the guys have performed the way they should in those games and haven’t dropped their intensity or focus which is very encouraging. He also notes the next few weeks starting tonight will be important games as they chase the district title. He says with games tonight against Mount Pleasant, then Fairfield in two weeks and Fort Madison the following week they will definitely be tested down the stretch.

Tonight’s game will weigh heavily on the district outcome as the winner will be the outright leader with three games remaining. Mount Pleasant has already beaten Fairfield and Fort Madison.

Mckinstrey says they’re still unsure on whether or not starting running back Deckar Lynch will see any field time tonight and it will be a game time decision after he suffered a sprained ankle in the first half at Oskaloosa two weeks ago, but notes he has been progressing well. You can hear tonight’s game live with Jamie Brockman and Randy Sikkema on 92.1 FM KRLS and kniakrls.com starting with pre game coverage at 7pm and kickoff at 7:30pm