Pella’s defense set the tone early and the Little Dutch offense hit on all cylinders last night in a 33-0 win over Knoxville in class 3A District eight play. The Pella defense got on the board with a safety just over a minute into the game. Pella would then score on one yard runs by Austin Schulte and Nathan Henry to go up 16-0, and added another score with 33 seconds left in the first half for what may have been the back breaker as Noah Clayberg found Bryce Bortscheller for a 22 yard pass for the score to make it 23-0 at the half. Pella would add ten more points on a Lukas Steenhoek one-yard plunge and a Seth Johnson 29-yard field goal. Pella’s long drives helped to both control the pace of the game and kept Knoxville’s offense at bay, says Coach Jay McKinstrey. Meanwhile, Panthers Coach Troy Rider told KNIA/KRLS Sports he was pleased with the running game for the Panthers, but needs to see better rhythm. The Panthers got 135 yards on the ground led by Tanner Dunkin with 53 yards on nine carries. Pella’s defense limited the Panthers to just 81 yards through the air. Pella was led by Noah Clayberg with 97 yards on ten carries. He was 4/10 through the air for 82 yards and a touchdown. Pella generated 224 yards on the ground and totaled 342. Pella is now 4-0 and 1-0 in the district and will host Carlisle next Friday, while Knoxville is 0-4 and 0-2 in district play and will host Dallas Center-Grimes in non-district play for Homecoming.