It looked bleak at first, but the Pella High football team, despite five giveaways, three of them in the first half, prevailed over Sioux City Heelan in last night’s Class 3A state championship game, 38 – 17, in a game that was heard live on 92.1 KRLS. Pella drove down the field to begin the game and methodically put together an 11-play, 80-yard drive to take the early lead. However, the Crusaders turned two consecutive Little Dutch turnovers into 14 points and eventually took a 17 – 7 lead, before Pella answered with a touchdown before the end of the half, 17 – 14. The Crusaders got the ball first in the second half, and a big momentum swing happened a couple plays in. Pella would capitalize on short field position and score the first of three second half touchdowns to make it 38 – 17, all highlighted by another huge run by Nathan Henry. The Little Dutch set a State Championship Game record for rushing attempts, going for 340 yards on 61 carries. They finish the year 14 – 0, their first ever state championship, and graduate 16 seniors from their varsity squad.