NORTH JUDSON - There was a feeling that the Class 1A Sectional high school football semifinal between rivals LaVille and 1A #7 North Judson-San Pierre might come down to which team has the ball last. It certainly came down to several factors before the Lancers held off the Blue Jays for a thrilling 24-22 victory. LHS created six turnovers - three fumbles and three interceptions - along with a 100+ yard rushing performance from Cole Stafford and a huge defensive stop to close the game. "We knew going in that we were going to have to win the turnover battle and when we get a turnover, we must end it with points," said LaVille coach Jeff Kaiser.  "For the most part we did that which proved to be huge in this game early on." With the win, LHS moves on to the sectional championship against #10 West Central on November 7. Late in Friday's LV-NJSP battle, Judson's Aiden McGowen caught a short pass for a touchdown with 17.6 second left as the Blue Jays narrowed the score to 24-22, an all important two-point conversion failed. "The incomplete pass on the 2 point conversion was a true testament to our bend don't break mentality," said Kaiser.  "We as a unit were able to get pressure on the QB to get him moving around and then the LBs/DBs doing their job of playing assignment football when their backs are against the wall." There was still the kick-off and most of Liberty Field was expecting an on-side kick. Judson executed the on-side kick as Logan Pradke recovered the ball inside LaVille territory. With no timeouts remaining, NJSP completed a big pass for 16 yards before quarterback Javen Christensen spiked the ball to stop the clock. With five precious left, Pradke was called on to attempt a 42-yard field goal. Pradke's attempt was short of the crossbar as the horn sounded. Along with forcing a couple turnovers early to jump off to a quick lead in the first quarter, the Blue Crew Defense made a huge stop late as the final horn sounded. "Felt defensively we limited what Judson was able to do," noted Kaiser. "We were able to take care of the fullback and then shut the option game down effectively.  We forced them to have to pass the ball and if your able to do that against an option team, you get them out of their rhythm." North Judson won the toss to start the game and wanted the ball first. On the first series, the Lancers used a scoop and score by Cole Stafford on a fumble return to get on the scoreboard. "Anytime you create a turnover and it results in points is huge in taking away a possession," explained Kaiser.  "Caleb Skiles does a tremendous job in keeping his composure and locking in when he is called on to kick.  This is a huge asset in football knowing you can score without having to get in the endzone." On the next Blue Jay possession Noah Menis pounced on a loose ball that led to a Caleb Skiles 32-yard field goal and a 10-0 Lancer lead. Coach Kaiser's defense then forced the hosts to punt, setting up a big pass-play for a TD. Cole Stafford put LHS up 17-0 after pushing his way in from the 3 beforeQB Brayden Schwitz found Konnor Amor for a 62 yard score and suddenly it was 24-0. Alex Kajer showed his speed, followed the blocking and hustled 78 yards on the ensuing kickoff to get Judson on the board. Kaiser's crew never backed down even though NJSP two scores together to narrow the gap to 24-22 before the exciting end of an instant classic. "Defense did what they had to do to ensure Judson was going to have to make a play that they weren't used to doing,  in the field goal attempt," Kaiser said of the final series/play.  "We were fortunate that the pressure was enough for him to miss it and allowed us to advance in the playoffs." LHS used a balanced offensive attack in Friday's semifinal to assist in advancing to the championship November 7 at Lancer Field. "Offense again had balance which is always a goal each week.  When we can get both the run and pass game going, we are a tough Offense to defend with the multiple guys we have that can make plays.  The O Line moved people around and played physical throughout the night and when they are able to attack a defense it allows Cole Stafford to get our running game going as well as Scwhitz being able to use both of his abilities in running and passing." As we closed our interview, we asked Kaiser about the Week #2 match up. He acknowledged that it was early in the season and both teams were different. "We expected to get this win," explained Kaiser.  "As a team we work hard starting in January for these opportunities.  Back in week 2 when we lost to them, our guys felt we left things on the field that prevented us from getting the win.  Through our season we have had learning moments daily, whether it be at practice and our scout players pushing us, or on a Friday night and getting things on film to correct some mistakes, these guys work hard every day and put us in this opportunity to get this playoff win.  We expect to win each time we step on the field by us being confident in one another. "I didn't sense panic in our players or coaches which shows a mutual trust among each other, players and coaches, of having the confidence we were going to do what was needed to finish the job." LaVille improves to 7-4 overall, while the Blue Jays close out a fine 8-3 season. LAVILLE 24, NORTH JUDSON 22 At North Judson Score By Quarter LaVille 17 7 0 0 - 24 NJSP 0 8 8 6 - 22 Scoring Summary LV - Cole Stafford 47 fumble return; Caleb Skiles kick LV - Skiles 32 FG LV - Stafford 3 run; Skiles kick LV - Konnor Amor 62 pass from Brayden Schwitz; Skiles kick NJ - Alex Kajer 78 KO return; Logan Pradke run NJ - Zander Nowak 6 pass from Javen Christensen; Pradke run NJ - Aiden McGowan 3 pass from Christensen; pass failed                                 LV          NJSP First Downs            11               15 Yards Rushing     142             100 Comp-Att-Int    6-15-0       11-20-3 Yards Passing      121              182 Pen-Yds               5-40           6-31 Fumbles                 2                 3 Punts-Avg           5-36           3-35