PELLA — Pella Christian and PCM are non-district foes, but through the years the two schools have developed quite an athletic rivalry.

A football game between the two teams always promises to be a battle royal. But on Friday night in Eagle Stadium, it was all Pella Christian as the Eagles shocked the Mustangs 44-6

Before their fans could even get into the popcorn, the Eagles had a 14-0 lead. Caleb Morgan electrified the Eagle faithful with a sizzling 92-yard kickoff return to open the game and Jacob Brower boomed the PAT kick through the uprights.

On the following PCM possession, the Mustangs were faced with a third and long when Morgan and his defensive mates put a huge rush on PCM quarterback Nate Vandewall. As the ball was released, Morgan snared the ball out of the air and took it in for a pick-six. Brower again converted the kick and 41 seconds into the game it was 14-0.

Vandewall tried to muster his troops as his passing arm was the feature of a 73-yard, 15-play drive to score. Vandewall capped the drive with a two-yard sneak. The kick failed and the Eagles held a 14-0 lead with 6:32 left in the third period.

Pella Christian got the ball back with a short field after Morgan sacked Vandewall on a fourth down play from near midfield. The Eagles took the ball on the Mustang 30-yard line and drove the 30 yards in nine plays with Colton Collins passing to Blake Riggen for the score. Brouwer was good again on the PAT for a 21-6 Eagle lead with 1:03 left in the first period.

Twice in the second quarter the Mustangs would attempt a fourth down conversion and fail. Both times the Eagles took advantage and scored. The first score was a two-yard plunge by Mason Howerzyl and the second was a two-yard slant off tackle by Derek Van Kooten. Brouwer was true on both kicks for a 35-6 Pella Christian lead.

The final Eagle touchdown came just before halftime as a short PCM punt put the ball on the Mustang 39-yard line. Six plays later Morgan dived in from two yards out for the score. Brouwer’s PAT was good and sent the Eagles into halftime with a 42-6 lead.

The second half was played under the continuous clock rule and the only score was a safety in the third quarter when Vandewall was trapped in the end zone.

Pella Christian coach Rich Kacmaryinski was very pleased with the play of his team and the balance they showed.

“Caleb Morgan was a virtual high light reel at the start of the game,” Kacmaryinski said. “The 14 quick points really got us going and I have to tip my hat to our special teams. Our defense tightened up and our pass rush was good. That quarterback (Vandewall) is really good. Also our offensive line did a nice job of controlling the line of scrimmage. We may be low on numbers, but we use every inch of talent we have and everybody contributes.”

The Eagles move into district play next Friday when they travel to Leon for a matchup with Central Decatur. The Cardinals won big over I-35 62-27 Friday night, so a strong challenge will be on tap for the Eagles.

Pella Christian 44, PCM 6

PCM        6    0    0    0    —    6

PC        21    21    2    0    —    44

Scoring summary

First Quarter

PC — Caleb Morgan 92 kickoff return (Jacob Brouwer kick), 11:48

PC — Morgan 31 interception return (Brouwer kick), 11:19

PCM — Nate Verdewall 2 run (Kick failed), 6:32

PC — Blake Riggen 6 pass from Coltin Collins (Brouwer kick), 1:03

Second Quarter

PC — Mason Howerzyl 2 run (Brouwer kick), 11:11

PC — Derek Van Kooten 2 run (Brouwer kick), 8:11

PC — Morgan 2 run (Brouwer kick), 1:16

Third Quarter

PC — Vandewall tackled in end zone, 3:45

Team Statistics

    PCM    PC

First Downs    7    13

Rushes-yards    20-(-21)    40-123

Passing yards    111    18

Att-Comp-Int    11-31-1    2-6-0

Total yards    90    231

Fumbles-lost    1-0    1-0

Punts-avg    2-37.0    2-36.0

Penalties-yards    11-75    6-30

Individual statistics

RUSHING — PCM, Ronnie Marshall 12-30. Pella Christian, Mason Howerzyl 14-71, Caleb Morgan 8-64, Michael Mason 10-52, Derek Van Kooten 5-34.

PASSING — PCM, Nate Vandewall 11-31-111-1. Pella Christian 2-6-18-0.

RECEIVING — PCM, Ethan Kain 6-46, Dillon Bruzvoort 3-43, Zach Uhlenhopp 1-25, Marshall 1-(-3). Pella Christian, M. Howerzyl 1-12, Blake Riggen 1-6.

TACKLES — PCM,  Luke Cummings 7, Hunter Reed 6. Pella Christian, M. Howerzyl 5, Van Kooten 4, Riley Stursma 4, Mason 4, Riggen 4, Zach Van Zee 2, Morgan 2, Zack Giddings 2, Zach Arkema 2, Adam Howerzyl 2.

SACKS — Pella Christian, Morgan 2, M. Howerzyl, Arkema.

INTERCEPTION — Pella Christian, Morgan.