In almost a repeat of last years game with Pella, the Demons took a tough loss, losing 14-7 to the No. 4 team in the state.

The first half was a stalemate that no one could break, as the Demons got the ball to start the game, but could only have two drives in the first half that resulted in anything more than a three and out. Washington struggled running the ball up the gut, as the big Pella defense made it into the backfield before Washington’s play could develop.

Pella gave the Demons a lot of chances to runaway with the game, including the struggles from their offense inside the 35 yard line. The Dutch made three trips down in the first half and each ended disappointingly, with the first one ending in an interception by Carl Sivels who took it for a 35 yard return, the second trip was a missed field goal, and the third trip was a fumble that the Demons recovered.

With both teams struggling, the game stayed scoreless into halftime.

The Demons kicked off to Pella to start the second half and it was a quick three and out that gave the Demons the ball, and what looked to be the same offense back on the field as they ran the ball up the gut with Coker and went no where, but on the next play Daryn Sebelius made a check call on the field, and threw a long ball to Gage Redlinger who made the grab and went 71 yards to pay dirt and the Demons were on the board first 7-0.

After the score the teams yet again found themselves not able to do much, until Noah Clayberg took a quarterback keeper to the left side of his line, and there was no one on that side to grab him, breaking three tackles Clayberg ran the ball 52 yards four the touchdown with just 1:02 left in the quarter.

Washington tried to get something going, but went into the fourth quarter tied, and came out of the break with another drive that ended in a punt. Pella then took over and drove the ball down the field on a 14 play drive that took 6:30 off the clock and punched it in with Clayberg from one yard to lead 14-7. With 3:14 left the game looked like it was just about over, but the Demons made a drive that can only be described as just pure power of will.

Sebelius led the attack throwing and running all over the Pella defense, the biggest play being a 23 yard catch by Tanner Knupp that got extended on a roughing the passer call, then on the next play the Demons got a pass interference call against Pella that moved them closer, and then another penalty marched the Demons down the field without making tough plays. The Demons had 1:11 on the clock and it was first down and five on the Pella 11 by the time all of the penalties were dished out. Washington tried throwing the ball to end-zone three times, making it fourth and five, so the Demons put four receivers on the right side and all four jumped on a false start pushing the Demons back to fourth and 10. The Demons threw an incomplete pass and that was the game.

Demon head coach Randy Schrader spoke after the game and said that Pella may have showed every other team the Demons play their weakness tonight.

“Well we got exposed up front offensively, especially our offensive line, they didn’t play until that last drive, [and] we really got exposed,” Schrader said.

The Demons were led on the ground by Sebelius with just 10 yards on 13 attempts, while through the air he went 6-17 for 137 yards and a touchdown. Receiving wise it was Gage Redlinger with one catch for 71 yards and a touchdown. On Defense the Demons were led by Jeff Knupp who had 14 tackles on the night.

Pella dominated the offense yardage in the game, having 229 yards on the ground, while the Demons had just 152 yards total.

Washington will need to buckle down this week and get prepared for Fairfield, who won this week 34-7. You can hear that game right here on AM and FM KCII.