In a matchup of two teams who each made it to the class 4A semifinals a year ago, the Pella High football team travels more than two hours east tonight to take on North Scott.

Both teams fell victim to eventual state champion North Polk, with the Lancers losing in the semifinals before the Comets beat the Dutch for the title. This year, North Scott is off to a 1-1 start, having beaten Cedar Rapids Washington last week after suffering a shutout loss to Xavier in their opener. Pella is 2-0 with wins over Ballard and Waverly-Shell Rock.

Dutch coach Ben Bollard is excited for an early season challenge against one of 4A’s top contenders.

“We have big goals for the season, and if so if you hope to make playoff runs you want to know where you’re at and measure yourself against the kind of talent you’re going to see later in the year. North Scott has certainly proven themselves to be a team that’s going to be in the mix, in the quarters or the semis or wherever that might be. It’s a great opportunity for us, just three games into the season, to see where we’re at, and it’s a great opportunity for them to see where they’re at. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere tonight.”

Kickoff is at 7:00 tonight at North Scott High School. Trevor Castle and Randy Sikemma will be live for the play-by-play, beginning with pregame coverage at 6:30.