ROYAL CENTER - This postseason, the LaVille HS football team knows what it has been like to be road warriors. As GAMEDAY continues to follow along during the 2025 Indiana High School Athletic Association state tournament, the Lancers pack their bags and load the bus to face the #3 Pioneer Panthers. Against what was a 10-year conference rival Pioneer dominated the series from the early going in 2015 and now leads, 8-3. LaVille changed the Panther momentum in the 2021 IHSAA Sectional title game, blanking Pioneer 41-0. The Lancers have won the last three straight meetings and are meeting again in Friday's IHSAA Regional Championship. Via the IHSAA blinddraw about a month ago, and the outcome in each of three rounds, coach Jeff Kaiser's club has been the road team in three of four games so far. LHS opened the sectional with a 35-0 win at Culver Community. In week two of the tournament, LaVille hopped the Yellow Bus Express for a lift to North Judson-San Pierre for a rematch in the sectional semifinal, and a 24-22 victory over the #7 Blue Jays. After two road wins, the Lancers hosted the sectional title game and eliminated #10 West Central, 49-6. As we enter the regional round, and once again via the bracket and any tie breakers, LaVille finds itself packing their bags to Royal Center for a meeting with the 3rd rated Panthers. Kaiser and his Lancer team are not complaining. "In order to have post season success, one of the keys is to be able to win on the road," said the LaVille 3rd-year skipper. "Our regular season road tests and victories have allowed us to be comfortable in playing at a high level no matter where we need to play at. We emphasize not allowing it to be a distraction but rather an opportunity each time we take to the road." During the regular season, trips to North Judson, Tippecanoe Valley, John Glenn, and Jimtown, were no picnics. Prior to the state tournament, LaVille 2-2 overall in games away from Lakeville. Enter two straight visitor tags to begin the state tourney, a brief Lancer Field encounter with West Central, and now more frequent traveler miles to a tough place to play - The Pit! Pioneer brings a tradition-rich football program with 13 sectional championships, 8 regional titles, 5 semi state banners, and 3 state rings. Coach Adam Berry's club likes to run the ball. In fact to the tune of almost 4,000 yards so far this season, scoring 59 touchdowns on the ground. The Panthers have a pair of 1,000+ yard rushers - Noah Vanmeter and Micah Rans. Those two have combined for 36 TDs. Vanmeter also averages almost 330 yards per game and takes up 7.5 yards of real estate per carry. If the Vanmeter-Rans duo need a breath, Berry sends in Shiloh Rine for nearly 900 yards this season and 13 scores. "Pioneer is going to bring speed to the field as they play a solid Wing T offense and then play a 3-4 defense," said Kaiser of the Panther offense. "Both of us are still playing football due to the fact we are playing our best football up to this point. It's going to be a solid regional matchup for sure." LaVille is looking for its first regional title since 1982, while PHS seeks its first regional crown since 2020. Turnovers, field position, the line of scrimmage, assignment football, tackle and block ... You know, all the points that coaches see as factors that determine the outcome of Friday's game will all be put on a microscope. The November 14 IHSAA Regional between LaVille and #3 Pioneer is scheduled for a 7:30pm kick off from The Pit. LVH1/IHSAA Champions Network will provide a live-stream - https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=3051996 Game on ... GAMEDAY Teams: LaVille (8-4) at #3 Pioneer (11-1) Kick: 7:30 PM Site: The Pit, Royal Center, IN. Coaches: Jeff Kaiser, 25-12 in 3rd year at LaVille. Adam Berry, 99-26 in 10th year at Pioneer Last Outing: LaVille defeated West Central, 49-6. Pioneer def. Carroll (Flora), 45-14 Series: Pioneer leads LaVille, 8-3 Last Meeting: LaVille def. Pioneer, 29-13, Sept 1, 2023 All-Time Tournament Series: Pioneer leads LaVille, 2-1 Potential Semi-State Site: A LaVille victory in the regional allows the Lancers to host no matter who wins between South Adams and North Miami. Pioneer could be at South Adams or play host to North Miami on Nov 21.