Pella Christian’s dream of playing for a state football title in the UNI-Dome came crashing down into the mud and wet grass of the Prairie Valley football field in Gowrie Friday night in a 28-14 loss to the Warriors.

The game began with the Warriors taking the kickoff and marching 65 yards in 15 plays to score on an 18 yard run by Elmore. Kehoe kicked the PAT for a 7-0 Warrior lead with 4:48 left in the first period.

Pella Christian had an answer in the combination of Kyle Nikkel to Eli Groenendyk. Groenendyk pulled in a diving catch for a 33-yard gain and a first down at the Warrior 48. Fynaardt ripped off a 38-yard run to the five and Nikkel found Groenendyk for the TD. Trey Hugen drilled the PAT to tie the game at 7-7.

Midway through the second stanza the Warriors had driven to the Pella Christian 27 where they faced a fourth and one. The middle of the Pella Christian line stopped the play and the Eagles began a drive from their own 27. Fynaardt and Nikkel each had first down runs and Nikkel had key completions to Hugen, Taylor Bandstra and Groenendyk. Groenendyk’s catch put the ball on the Warrior two and Nikkel sneaked in for the TD. Hugen’s kick gave Pella Christian a 14-7 lead at halftime.

The Eagles appeared to be in control of the game, but things abruptly changed in the second half as the Warriors used superior field position and an explosive running attack to turn things around.

The Eagles had deferred to start the game and took the second half kickoff with hopes of building on their lead. After a first down carry by Mitch Fynaardt, the Pella Christian offense stalled out and Alex Branderhorst was called on to punt. A Warrior got a hand on the ball and the punt was downed at the PC 44 yard line.

Prairie Valley put the ball in the hands of Jon Elmore, who had rushed for over 2,000 yards this season. Elmore pounded the ball down the field and his team faced a fourth and goal from the one-foot line. Elmore tried once more to cross the goal line, but Tyler Klyn stood him up and denied the score.

Now the Eagles were pinned deep and they couldn’t get out. After three plays, a punt was attempted into the howling wind. Parker Kruse of the Warriors picked the ball up on the bounce and skirted the left side of the field for a 32 yard scoring return. The PAT kick failed and Pella Christian held a 14-13 lead with 3:17 left in the third period.

The Eagles went nowhere with the kick return and started to drive from their own 11-yard line. A pass interference on the Warriors and a big 24-yard run by Fynaardt moved the ball just across mid-field into Warrior territory. After three plays, Pella Christian was two yards short of a first down and the punt team came on. It was a fake punt and the snap went to Fynaardt. The Warrior defense sniffed the play out and stopped Fynaardt a yard short.

Elmore again led his team down the field to the Pella Christian 31 where the Warriors faced a fourth and eight situation. Cole Jaeschke found Cole Jacobson at the 17 for a huge first down. Jacobson caught the ball in a crowd despite a deflection by an Eagle defender. Elmore thundered 16 yards to the one and took the ball in on the next play. Elmore ran for two points to give the Warriors a 21-14 lead with 6:48 left in the game.

Disaster struck the Eagles again on the kickoff. A vicious hit separated the ball from the return man and Nate Schill recovered for Prairie Valley. Five carries by Elmore put the ball in the end zone and Tucker Kehoe kicked the PAT to set the final score at 28-14.

After the game, Pella Christian coach Rich Kacmarynski was disappointed, but proud of his team.

“I feel good about this team,” Kacmarynski said. “We have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to. We were in control, but couldn’t finish. The third quarter field position really hurt us and it seemed that the ball kind of bounced their way. But I tip my hat to them, they made the plays when they had to.”

It was a sad moment when the team and the fans that they had bonded so strongly with gathered on the field. There were lots of tears and hugs, but also a lot of pride in the great season the Eagles had enjoyed. After a prayer of praise and thanksgiving, coach Kacmarynski reminded his team of the memories they had made and the memories they will never forget.

The Eagles complete a historic season with a 10-2 record and they have rewritten the PC football record book. In only three years of varsity competition they have made it to the “Elite Eight” in Class 1A football and ignited their school and community. Twelveseniors have played their last high school game, but with a number of underclassmen playing key positions, there is indeed a lot to look forward to.