The Pella (IA) varsity football team will play a neutral-site playoff game against North Polk (Alleman, IA) today at 7 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Iowa High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 4A, organized by the IHSAA.

What: Iowa High School Football
Who: Pella (IA) vs North Polk (IA)
When: Thursday, November 21, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Iowa High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSAA – Class 4A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

North Polk vs. Pella: A Close Look at Two Undefeated Football Teams

As the 2024-2025 Iowa high school football season heats up, two teams that have stood out in impressive fashion are North Polk and Pella. Both teams have enjoyed highly successful campaigns so far, boasting remarkable records that place them among the elite programs in the state. Let’s break down the key statistics, head-to-head matchups, and scoring averages for both teams to understand what makes them so formidable.

North Polk’s Perfect Run

North Polk enters the season with a flawless 11-0 record, sweeping through both its league and non-league games with remarkable ease. The team has gone undefeated in conference play (5-0), and their dominance on the road (3-0) and at home (6-0) has been evident. Not only have they excelled on the field, but they’ve also been potent offensively, scoring an average of 34.8 points per game while allowing only 147 points over the course of the season. Their offense has proven dynamic across all four quarters, with an impressive uptick in scoring during the third quarter (10.0 points), helping them pull away from opponents.

Pella’s Near-Perfect Season

While North Polk has been perfect, Pella has only suffered one loss, posting an 11-1 record. Pella’s performance has been impressive, with a strong conference record of 4-1 and dominant non-league play, where they’ve gone 6-0. Despite their loss, they’ve shown resilience and strength throughout the season, with standout victories against tough opponents. Averaging 28.4 points per game, Pella has also been solid defensively, allowing 196 points. Notably, their ability to score big in the fourth quarter (10.0 points) has been a key factor in their victories, as they tend to close out games strong.

Scoring Averages Breakdown

• North Polk’s Scoring Trends:
  North Polk has demonstrated strong scoring consistency across all quarters. Their most significant surge comes in the third quarter (10.0 points), where they appear to take control of games. The team averages 34.8 points per game, with a defense that has only allowed an average of 13.36 points per game.
• Pella’s Scoring Trends:
  Pella’s offense has been led by an early burst in the first half, particularly in the second quarter, where they score an average of 10.0 points. Their offense, though slightly lower in total points (28.4 points per game) compared to North Polk, has still been highly effective at both home and away games. Their scoring tends to peak in the final quarter, ensuring they maintain a strong finish in tight games.

Common Opponents

When comparing the teams’ performances against common opponents, it’s clear that both North Polk and Pella have emerged victorious in all their matchups. Both teams have faced and defeated Bondurant-Farrar, Ballard, Indianola, and Xavier with identical results. Here’s how the matchups played out:

• North Polk vs. Common Opponents:
  • 8/30/24: Bondurant-Farrar (W) 42-41 (Home)
  • 10/4/24: Ballard (W) 29-8 (Home)
  • 10/11/24: Indianola (W) 22-21 (Home)
  • 11/8/24: Xavier (W) 35-14 (Home)
• Pella vs. Common Opponents:
  • 10/18/24: Bondurant-Farrar (W) 28-21 (Home)
  • 8/30/24: Ballard (W) 29-17 (Away)
  • 9/13/24: Indianola (W) 24-22 (Away)
  • 9/20/24: Xavier (W) 21-19 (Home)

Both teams have shown a high level of consistency and dominance over these shared rivals, each winning by solid margins and demonstrating their superiority.

Head-to-Head Performance

Interestingly, North Polk and Pella have not yet faced each other in the current season. However, based on their remarkable records and statistical similarities, a head-to-head clash would undoubtedly be a highly anticipated event. Both teams have been dominant in their own right, making it a difficult matchup to call. North Polk’s unblemished record and high scoring consistency make them a formidable opponent, while Pella’s ability to close games with strong fourth-quarter performances adds an exciting dimension.

Playoff & Home Field Performance

Both teams have been strong contenders on their respective home turf, with North Polk going a perfect 6-0 at home and 3-0 in neutral sites, while Pella has gone 3-1 at home. Both teams will likely rely on their home-field advantages to carry them through the playoff push, but the neutral site games, where Pella has proven to be just as effective, will certainly test both teams’ mettle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both North Polk and Pella have proven themselves as elite football programs in the state of Iowa. With North Polk’s perfect record and powerful offense, they appear to be the frontrunner. However, Pella’s near-perfect season and ability to finish games strong give them an undeniable edge. The two teams’ shared success against common opponents adds a layer of intrigue, making their potential showdown one of the most anticipated matchups of the season. Whether North Polk will maintain their perfect record or Pella will pull off a surprise remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: both teams are championship contenders and will be a force to reckon with in the playoffs.