While football season is still many months away, it’s never too early to start prepping. The districts for the fall of 2023 season were released on March 20 by the IHSAA. Districts are groupings based on location and the top 2 finishers of each district which is based on record will autobid and make the playoffs. Then everyone else in the class is fighting for spots based off of team record and opponents strength. These districts get reshuffled every two years. The Pella Dutch are in 4A and have had a tough run when it comes to district competition. The Dutch went 4-5 in 2021 and went 3-6 this year. These records may make it appear that Pella is not a very strong football team, but that isn’t the case. 

Pella was a part of the toughest 4A district that included teams like 4A state champion Cedar Rapids Xavier and other 4A playoff teams such as Cedar Rapids Washington and Newton. This year, however, things will change a little bit for the Dutch. They will still be competing in 4A but will see a couple of old and new faces. They will once again face Bondurant in district play, a tough team who the Dutch faced in non-district play this past fall. They will also be seeing the Newton Cardinals who finished second in Pella’s district last year. Some of the new members of the district will include Carlisle, a foe whom Pella has played several times in the past.  

The other two teams in the district are ones that Pella is very unfamiliar with: Des Moines Hoover and Gilbert. Hoover and Gilbert both went 1-8 last year. However things can change, but it’s good to keep in mind. 

“It’s always fun to see new teams that we haven’t played before,” said junior Hanson King. “I feel very confident we will do well against these teams and hopefully we can make the playoffs.” 

The actual schedule won’t come out until late in the summer, but it gives the coaching staff and players something to get excited for and also a glimpse of what is to come.