Pella Knights Dominated 45-10 by the Des Moines Blaze

Johnston–The Pella Knights played well for several chunks of the game against likely their toughest competition of the year, but could not overcome several big plays in falling 45-10 to the Des Moines Blaze Saturday night.

Before they could even blink, the Knights (2-2, 1-2 MFA East) were down a pair of scores. Des Moines shut down the Knights on an opening-drive three-and-out and then scored on its first play from scrimmage. The defending Midwest Football Alliance champions (3-0) then returned an interception for a touchdown on Pella’s second possession.

The visitors bounced back, though, shutting down Des Moines for quite a spell while the purple and silver cut the deficit to 14-10. The second quarter opened with a 42-yard field goal by Jordan Krulik (Minnetonka, Minn.), capping off a 15-play, 69-yard drive.

The Knight defense then stepped up with one of its two takeaways. Chris Markwardt (Pella) forced a fumble near midfield and Gabe Washington (Des Moines) returned the pigskin 45 yards to the Des Moines five-yard line.

Pella failed to bring the ball across the goal line on its three plays, but was bailed out on a pass interference penalty that gave the offense a new set of downs. Jarred Lackey (Somerton, Ariz.) took full advantage on the next play, busting through a hole for a two-yard scoring run. Lackey rushed for ten yards, while Ricco Martin (Calhoun City, Miss.) topped the ground attack with 20 yards.

Unfortunately, the Blaze had an answer, coming up with two more big plays–a 92-yard kickoff return score and a 21-yard touchdown pass–to lead 28-10 at intermission.

Des Moines kept the pedal to the floorboard in the second half, producing two touchdowns and a field goal, all in the third, to cruise to the victory.

The Knights were outgained 327-84, including 62 yards through the air. Lackey completed five passes for 50 yards, while Reggie Morris (Penn Grove, N.J.) hauled in three balls for 20 yards. Dez Jones (Highland Park, Mich.) added two receptions for 34 yards. Jones also returned two kickoffs for 64 yards.

Defensively, Scott Bell (Iowa City) and Brandon Millbrooks (Olive Branch, Miss.) tallied a team-best five tackles, while Lackey had the lone quarterback sack.

Score: Des Moines Blaze 45, Pella Knights 10

Jarred Lackey: 5-12, 50 yds
Ricco Martin: 11 carries, 20 yds

Jarred Lackey: 10 carries, 10 yds, 1 TD

Dez Jones: 2 catches, 34 yds
Reggie Morris: 3 catches, 20 yds

Jordan Krulik: 1-1 PAT, 42 yd FG (1-1)

Scott Bell: 5 tackles
Brandon Millbrooks: 5 tackles, 1 for loss
Jarred Lackey: 1 sack