Preview, Prediction: Pella-North Polk 4A Championship Game

<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C-GRl61v-A </div></figure>   Pella and North Polk delivered statement victories in last week's Class 4A state semifinals. The Dutch knocked off defending champion Lewis Central, 28-16, and North Polk cruised a traditionally strong program, North Scott, 35-7.   They face off for a title Thursday night at the UNI-Dome. Pella is chasing its first crown since a three-peat (2014-16). The growing North Polk district is seeking its first championship.   The Dutch own a 4-1 advantage in a series between schools located about 60 miles apart. However, North Polk won the last meeting, 24-7, during the 2022 regular season.   Even though the matchup lacks familiarity, the guys involved know the final step to achieving the ultimate goal will be a difficult one.   "It's going to take a lot. We know how tough it is. It's going to be a battle," Pella quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1286458' first='Colin' last='Kerndt'] said. "We'll just do our thing, like we have been, and keep working all week to go get it, and get it done."   Said North Polk's [player_tooltip player_id='1240437' first='Bryce' last='Burke']: "We need to watch a lot of film, a lot of hard work at practice this week. We need to go into the game with a lot of confidence, knowing that we can win."   While the programs have not played the last two seasons, they faced four common opponents in 2024. The Comets (12-0) defeated Ballard, Carlisle, Indianola and Xavier by a combined score of 127-70. Pella (11-1) topped those teams, 108-79.   While that provides a comparison based on the past, it isn't guaranteed to tell us what will happen on Thursday. The winner will handle the environment and the magnitude of what's at stake best. On top of that, a great game plan executed well will impact the outcome more than what happened earlier in the year.   Statistically, Pella utilizes a balanced offense, while the Comets lean heavily on the run. Their opportunistic, aggressive defenses have a combined to rack up 119.5 tackles for loss and 26 interceptions.   The Dutch average 330.8 yards (163.2 passing, 167.5 rushing) of offense per game. North Polk produces 362.9 yards (82.7 passing, 280.2 rushing). The Comets lead 4A in scoring offense (35.8 PPG), and Pella is 11th (28.4). North Polk ranks third in scoring defense (15.2), and the Dutch check in ninth (16.8).   Nathan Feldmann is one of the best players in 4A, period. The North Polk senior has completed more than 65 percent of his passes and thrown 12 touchdowns. He's rushed for 1,710 yards and 23 scores. On defense, he's racked up 30 solo tackles and intercepted a team-best four passes.   [player_tooltip player_id='1361480' first='BJ' last='Tate Jr']. (1,199 yards, 16 TDs) complements Feldmann in the running game, and [player_tooltip player_id='1361535' first='Jake' last='Hout'] is his favorite target when passing. Senior LB [player_tooltip player_id='1361539' first='Jakob' last='Phillips'] (60 solo tackles, 15.0 TFL, 2.0 Sacks, 3 INT) wrecks game plans, while [player_tooltip player_id='1620124' first='Micah' last='Sands'] (8.5 TFL, 4.0 Sacks) and Henry Christensen (8.0 TFL, 2.5 Sacks) disrupt proceedings in the trenches.   Pella features one of the most dynamic players in 4A. [player_tooltip player_id='1240470' first='Emmanuel' last='Diers'] has 1,077 yards (7.5 YPC) and 13 rushing touchdowns, and 41 receptions for 494 yards and a pair of scores. Quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1286458' first='Colin' last='Kerndt'] is completing 62.8 percent of his passes (1,882 yards and 17 TDS), and chewing up ground (791 yards, 14 TDs rushing). [player_tooltip player_id='1286455' first='Tyson' last='Barnes'] and [player_tooltip player_id='897440' first='Harrison' last='Mullens'] have teamed up for 73 receptions for 1,044 yards and 13 touchdowns.   Dutch junior Nate Warner (102.0 tackles, 87 solo, 9.5 TFL, INT) leads a sound defense. [player_tooltip player_id='1644914' first='Kyler' last='VanMaanen'] (80.5 tackles), Lake Cowman (5 INT), [player_tooltip player_id='1620031' first='Rex' last='Rhamy'] (3 INT) and Ben Wilcox (9.0 TFL, 5.5 Sacks) also stand out on that side of the ball.   While this game could be decided on offense or defense, Phillips points out the importance of the sport's third phase, which aided the Comets significantly in the semifinals.   "Football is a three-story game. Special teams, people kind of overlook that," he said.   Chances are good that it all will matter. Effort and intensity also rank highly on the must-have list.   "It's going to take teamwork, coaches, players," Diers said. "It's everyone working hard, 10 times harder than we worked (against Lewis Central). We just need to put it all out there one more time."   Prediction: North Polk 28, Pella 21   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFq0maixQGo </div></figure>