Photo by Justin McLaughin

It came down to several key plays late in a low-scoring slugfest between #4 Pella and #9 Decorah in a state quarterfinals football game heard live on 92.1 KRLS Friday night. The Dutch defeated the Vikings 7-6 in the matchup at Pella High School.

Both teams leaned on their defenses throughout the contest, with neither finding the scoreboard until the final quarter. Pella fended off a field goal attempt and a late 2nd quarter turnover, which included a crucial sack fumble just before the half.

Pella would eventually find a critical drive that dipped into the 4th quarter, and included a fourth down conversion by Michael Manning on a run in the red zone. Emmanuel Diers found the only Pella touchdown of the game with 7:16 remaining in regulation.

The Dutch defense found another stop in its own redzone late in the 4th quarter, only for the offense to fumble the ball right back to Decorah, who scored on the subsequent play with 2:26 remaining. However, the Vikings missed the ensuing point-after try, and the home team was able to salt the game away with two first downs.

Diers finished with 129 yards rushing and a touchdown. Pella returns to the UNI Dome and will take on Sergeant Bluff-Luton on Thursday at 4 p.m. in the 4A state semifinals. Wire-to-wire coverage can be heard on 92.1 KRLS.