Missed opportunities and untimely mental mistakes made a 28-0 victory look more difficult than it should have been, as the Pella Christian football team closed out the regular season with a win over Clarke on Friday night. Still, running back Nate Tvedt rushed for 130 yards and three scores, and the Eagles’ defense held the Indians to just 67 yards of total offense, as Pella Christian closed out the Class 2A District 8 slate with a 6-1 league record and a 7-2 overall mark.

The Eagles opened the game with a long, 11-play drive that resulted in Tvedt’s first score of the night – an 11-yard scamper – then added another quick strike in the first quarter on a connection between Adam Howerzyl and wide receiver Will Vande Voort to make it 14-0.

Following a scoreless second quarter, a fiery halftime discussion helped to spark two more scores by Tvedt on the ground to put the game out of reach. After Tvedt’s second score of the night, Klaeton Vande Kieft intercepted a Dylan Sweeney pass to give the Eagles back the ball inside the Clarke 10, which resulted in Tvedt’s final score of the game.

Pella Christian put up 267 yards of total offense – 245 of which came on the ground – while the defense harassed Sweeney; sacking the Clarke quarterback five times, snagging three interceptions, and holding the Indians’ leading rusher to nine yards on the ground. Linebacker Zach Van Zee helped lead the Eagle defense, tallying seven total tackles and notching a pair of sacks.

The Pella Christian football team now prepares for the quick turnaround to begin postseason play, as they’ll host North Polk from District 7 in the opening round of the Class 2A Football Playoffs.