The Pella Christian football team hung tough with an undefeated Centerville team Friday night, but the Big Reds rushing attack was too much to overcome in a 39-24 loss heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

The Eagles got out to another great start out of the gate, needing just four run plays to march 52-yards down the field for a 17-yard Landon Nunnikhoven rushing touchdown to take an early 8-0 lead. After Centerville answered with a 10-play, 88-yard scoring drive to pull within 8-6 midway through the first quarter, Pella Christian found the red zone again with a nine-play, 61-yard possession. The Eagles’ second red zone trip yielded no points however, after the Big Reds forced a turnover on downs on 4th and goal on the first play of the second quarter, and used that momentum to secure the lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Centerville’s next three possessions all resulted in touchdowns, pushing them in front 26-8 midway through the second quarter, but a Brecken Ritzert 12-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Volk pulled Pella Christian within 26-16 at halftime. Out of the break, the Big Reds’ rushing attack controlled the game, as they dominated the time of possession to add a pair of touchdowns and take a 39-16 advantage. The Eagles continued to battle until the final whistle, with Riley Vincent catching his first career varsity touchdown from Ritzert on a five-yard throw late in the fourth quarter to cut the final deficit to 39-24.

The Eagles struggled to slow down a Centerville rushing attack that ran for 306 yards on the night, which was led by running back Makoa Kaleponi’s 254 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. Ritzert led the Pella Christian offense in the game, throwing for 111 yards and two touchdowns and running for 98 yards, while Nunnikhoven added 71 yards rushing and a touchdown. Eagles head coach Rich Kacmarynski also highlighted the return of senior linebacker Garrett Wielard, who made seven tackles in his first game back from surgery on a broken finger that held him out of the last two games.

“I was really proud of Garrett. We talk about our defense kind of stiffening up tonight, Garrett’s a big part of that, not only physically, but also spiritually, mentally, and emotionally for our defense. So, we’re super glad to have him back, and looking forward to him continuing to finish this year strong.”

Pella Christian fell to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in the district with the loss, and they will look to bounce back at home against Davis County next Friday.