PELLA — Host Pella Christian trailed early, and only briefly, just once in a 44-7 non-district win over the Panorama football team Friday.
The Eagles (2-0) returned a Panther (1-1) fumble 25 yards in the opening moments to grab a quick 6-0 lead.
Panorama countered when Austin Block squeezed into the end zone from four yards away minutes later. A Jackson Walker PAT put the guests in front, 7-6.
However, the hosts struck twice before the quarter ended, using a 58-yard touchdown pass and a three-yard TD run to move in front for good, 21-7.
The halftime score stood at 31-7 after the Eagles scored with a 32-yard field goal and on a 20-yard pass in the second period, with a 39-yard run and a 38-yard pass adding two final touchdowns in the third quarter to cap the scoring.
Three Pella Christian quarterbacks combined to finished 12-of-14 through the air for three scores and 212 yards while tossing three interceptions. The hosts run for 151 yards and a score on 31 carries.
Panorama managed just 24 rushing yards on 33 hauls. Block had the lone score and 27 yards on 10 totes, with Ryan Cogil (14-18), Gavin Godfrey (1-2), Connor Love (2-0), Landon Kirtley (1-0) and Cayden VanMeer (5 for a loss of 23 yards) also running the pigskin.
VanMeer was 4-of-17 for 65 yards in the air, with Block 2-of-7 for six yards while being picked off twice.
Cogil (1-26), Josh VanWinkle (1-24), Nile Lindstrom (2-14), Kolton Bremer (1-2), and Godfrey (1-5) recording receptions.
Lindstrom and Block each intercepted a pass, with Godfrey and Cooper Andersen each recovering a fumble.
Bremer led the defense with seven tackles, with Lindstrom and Cogil each in on 6.5 stops. Cogil had a sack and one tackle for a loss of yards.
Panorama will host Central Decatur for Military Appreciation Night, with Pella Christian visiting PCM. Both games are non-district contests.
