LAKEVILLE — LaVille football is coming off a season to remember in 2022. An undefeated regular season, winning nine games and its first-ever Hoosier North Athletic Conference football title and first conference trophy since 1986. It was 2A state runner-up Andrean 59ers that ended the Lancer state tourney run. Surely, a season that Lancer Nation will not soon forget. At the conclusion of the season, veteran coach Will Hostrawser stepped away from coaching after compiling the winningest football coaching record in school history.  Hostrawser went 79-33 over the last 10 years to go with a pair of IHSAA sectional crowns (2017 and 2021) and an HNAC title. Defensive coordinator Jeff Kaiser stepped in at the opportunity and continues to help LaVille move forward. After 13 players picked up diplomas, the question that can be asked is, what is on the horizon for LaVille football? Kaiser says it is about "Opportunity." "We, as a team talk everyday about "OPPORTUNITY," said the first-year head coach.  "We focus on the opportunity to get better every single day in everything we do.  If we take advantage of these opportunities, things will go the direction we are wanting to go." Near the top is an opportunity to repeat as HNAC champions.  After the 2023-24 school year, LHS will move to a new conference with longtime Northern State Conference rivals Bremen, Jimtown, John Glenn, and Knox, along with Tippecanoe Valley. If LaVille wants to repeat the successes of 2022, opportunity awaits the next man up. "Offensively we have several key positions to fill, which is no secret when you lose your top RB's, TE, WR and 4 lineman," explained Kaiser.  "We had younger guys that were role players last year and they saw first hand what hard work can result in.  Now it's their time for the opportunity to find that same success.  "Defensively we also lost a strong core upfront, along with two LB's and a DB.  Many guys did rotate in on this side of the ball and got a taste of what we want and do.  Special Teams didn't take a hit like the other two phases of the game other than our return guys, but we have a 2 time  All State punter in Lucas Plummer, along with Plummer and Brandon Nettrouer handling our kick off and field goal duties.  I like the way our current guys have responded to the opportunity in all three phases of the game to this point.  Each and everyone of them had a great summer and it transitioned into camp up to this point." Among key areas, the Lancer offensive line took a direct hit with just one starter returning in '23. "Upfront offensively we return one starter in Erik Bedock who will be a 4 year starter with All State and All Conference honors up to this point, to go along with tremendous leadership," said Kaiser of his 6' 3" offensive and defensive lineman.  "So as we continue to develop our O-Line, his experience and drive has naturally moved us along very well in the process to get where we want to be.  Guys battling to be on that unit include Brandon Nettrouer, Brayden Foster, Eli Platz, Nehemiah Stanley, Kaid Sanchez and Kaide Hernandez.   These guys are getting better every snap they take." Then there is the loss of the top receiver - Owen Smith - and top rushers - Paul DeWitt and Noah Richhart. Looking to complete the pitch and catch game from 4-year quarterback Lucas Plummer are several crucial options. "Key guys we are looking at in WR position are senior Michael Good, juniors Collin Czarnecki, David Mitchell, Avery Garrett, Xzavian LaFave, sophomore Andre Gonzalez and freshman: Lance Edison," said Kaiser.  "We feel there is a great mixture within this group." The running game is looking at a half dozen players to find the holes. "Guys we will be counting on to continue allowing us to grind it out in the running game are senior Jonah Skiles, juniors Cody Allen, Jon Neese, Xzavian Lafave, Josiah Cieselski and sophomore Cole Stafford," Kaiser says.  "Each of these guys bring a unique style and have been working hard to get better everyday." That takes us to Plummer, who brings a lot of veteran leadership.  He can throw the ball, run the ball and kick the ball.  Plummer earned all-state recognition as a punter at the end of 2022 season and to start the 2023 season. "Lucas Plummer is an outstanding football player with an amazing skill set whether it be with his arm or legs," said Kaiser.  "It's no secret that with him entering his fourth season as our starter, that his experience and past success will give him the confidence to guide our offense in the direction it needs to go.  Lucas makes everyone around him better with his athletic ability so when Lucas gets going so does our offense." Defense has been the LaVille calling card for LHS in recent history. In 2022, LaVille had the ninth best defense in the state at 9.91 points allowed per game regardless of class.  The Lancers also owned the second-best defense in Class 2A just a shade behind Indianapolis Scecina (9.67). "We take tremendous amount of pride in our defense year in and year out and that is no exception this year," says Kaiser. "Our guys know that defense wins championships.   We do not change our motto . . . its play fast, play hard and be physical. We must win 1st down and finish 3rd downs. We want to continue to cause havoc to opposing offenses." Key defensive players to this point include Good, Bedock, Plummer, Nettrouer, Lafave,  Czarnecki, Allen, Neese, Mitchell, Josiah Cieselski, Eli Platz, Avery Garrett, and Brock Gest. When it comes to special teams, LaVille has been blessed to have a couple outstanding punters and kickers over the last few years. Leyton Czarnecki, a 2021 graduarte, and most recently Plummer have earned all-state recognition. "Special teams are a phase of the game that we emphasize being "SPECIAL" so we spend an extended amount of time making sure we can make plays in the third phase of the game consistently," concluded Kaiser.  "We are blessed to have both Lucas and Brandon that can each kick 50 yard field goals and push each other everyday.  We know that if we get the ball inside the 30 yard line we should be able to put at least 3 valuable points on the board without hesitation." LaVille will open the regular season on August 18 at Bremen.  It is set for a 7 p.m. kick at Don J. Bunge Field and will open the WHME TV-46 Game of the Week.The game can be seen at 11 p.m. Friday night and again at 9 a.m. Saturday.