There will be a playmaking void for the Pella Christian football team as they start this season, minus the likes of Noah Treimer and Nathan De Bruin. But the steady hand of second-year starting quarterback Dan Jungling will be a key in the success of an Eagles offense that has ranked among the best in Class 1A for the better part of the past decade.

Jungling threw for 1598 yards–9th most in Class 1A in 2018, and 9 touchdowns, but really shined in the playoff run that led the Eagles to their second consecutive UNI Dome trip, rushing for 6.5 yards per carry and a touchdown in the road win over Bellevue. And coming off a stellar baseball campaign — in which he hit .279 as an everyday right fielder in his first baseball action in nearly five years, he enters 2019 stronger after another year in the P.C. Performance program. The Eagles football team opens the season at Oskaloosa Friday, which can be heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Pella’s two biggest key returning players are their two leading wide receivers from a season ago, although one is expected to take on a different role this year.

Logan Shetterly led the Little Dutch with 47 catches for 684 yards and 8 touchdowns. He was also a shutdown cover corner and is expected to be a leader for the Pella defense in 2019.

With two-year starting quarterback Ryan Gustafson lost to graduation, much of the preseason intrigue for the Little Dutch surrounds that position. Head Coach Jay McKinstrey says Aaron Downs and junior Ryan Mace will both likely see time behind center.

Downs was the second leading receiver and rusher for the Little Dutch last season, grabbing 36 passes and rushing 42 times for 924 yards from scrimmage and 17 scores. His 108 points scored in 2018 were the 6th most in Class 3A. Pella opens at home this Friday against Dallas Center-Grimes, which can be heard on the KRLS2 stream at KNIAKRLS.com.