It was a game of “firsts” for the Pella Christian football team in Ogden on Friday night; and unfortunately for the Eagles, they weren’t the good kind, as the Bulldogs rolled up a 28-14 win in Class 1A District 7. For the first time this season, the Eagles trailed by double figures, gave up three scores in one quarter, and – the big one – lost a game.

“They [Ogden] beat us in every phase of the game. They certainly dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, [and] we had a couple turnovers that hurt us, too, and key penalties against us,” said Pella Christian assistant coach Darryl De Ruiter. “I’m not making excuses, though, Ogden was the better football team tonight. They deserved to win. [It was] an exciting win for them on their homecoming, to have a good football team come in and to beat us. I mean not just to win the game, but to beat us; and they deserved to win.”

Ogden got two rushing touchdowns from running back Cody Good and another from quarterback Caleb Frye in a decisive second quarter to leave the Eagles stunned and trailing 21-0 at halftime. A 29-yard score by Derek Van Kooten in the third quarter gave Pella Christian life, but then a costly fumble and penalty at the end of the third quarter put the momentum back in the hands of the Bulldogs; ultimately ending in another score that essentially put the game away. The Eagles had two turnovers on the night to Ogden’s zero; and committed seven penalties for 58 combined yards – while Ogden was flagged just twice.

Pella Christian gained 256 yards of total offense, with Colten Collins totaling 151 yards on 8-for-18 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Receiver Blake Riggen had four of those catches for 88 yards – including a 41-yard touchdown. The Eagles’ first loss puts them at 5-1 on the season and 2-1 in district play. Up next is Van Meter – a team that was also handed their first loss of the season Friday night. Mount Ayr is now the lone unbeaten team in Class 1A District 7.