PELLA — Fresh off a 32-14 win over Class 1A District 8 champion Van Meter, Central Decatur travels here Wednesday to take on District 6 runner-up Pella Christian in the first round of the playoffs.
It's a familiar opponent for the Cardinals, having played in the same district as Pella Christian the past two years.
"We have an idea of what they do and how they go about things," Central Decatur head coach Jon Pedersen said. "They're very well coached. They had a good year, obviously, being a 2-seed. It will be a difficult game for us, but hopefully we can keep doing what we've been doing and take care of business on the defensive side, and score as many points as possible."
Central Decatur will have to contend with a high-powered offense.
Quarterback David Kacmarynski has 1,893 passing yards with 16 touchdowns to go with 461 rushing yards and five more scores.
He is one of three Pella Christian players with more than 400 rushing yards, joined by Miles Wichhart (440) and Levi Jungling (428).
"It's centered around their quarterback," Pedersen said. "He's their engine. He makes everything go. They're a run team first, but then they're not scared to throw the ball. They're balanced in that manner."
Pella Christian will look to spread the field, lining up in a spread formation or in a trips formation. The Eagles will look to utilize a variety of jet sweeps and jet dives, in addition to quarterback counters.
Jungling averages 8.2 yards per carry and has 10 touchdowns for the Eagles, operating as the main jet sweep threat. He's also the top receiver for Kacmarynski, with 51 receptions for 916 yards and eight touchdowns.
Carson Dugger is the second-leading receiver with 385 yards and three touchdowns on 31 receptions. Only two other receivers have more than 10 catches, with Jake De Ruiter and Graham Howezyl hauling in 14 and 13 receptions, respectively.
Pedersen said his defense, which has been playing well of late, looks forward to the opportunity to go against the Pella Christian offense.
"We've gotten better and better as the year has gone on," Pedersen said. "Right now, they have a lot of confidence. Hopefully we can go out and make that team one dimensional. If we do that, we feel like we can be pretty successful."
Kacmarynski is also Pella Christian's top tackler, with 67 solo tackles and 36 tackle assists, including 15 solo stops for loss and four solo sacks.
He, along with the rest of the Eagle defense, will have to contend with Central Decatur's Trenton Wells, who ranks second in Class 1A in total offense (2,524 yards) and touchdowns (31).
Peyton Pedersen has been the top receiver for Wells, with 48 receptions for 826 yards and nine touchdowns. Noah Bishop and Kyle Palmer each have 16 receptions for 198 and 176 yards, respectively.
Wells is the leading tackler with 55 solo tackles and 37 tackle assists, including 15 solo tackles for loss and 10 solo sacks.
Central Decatur has registered 23 takeaways this season, led by four interceptions from Bishop and three each by Pedersen and Carter Boothe. Peyton Gilbert has recovered four fumbles and Boothe has two fumble recoveries.
Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.