BREMEN - A fast start and a solid finish were crucial for LaVille in a neighborhood rivalry against Bremen in high school football Friday.The Lancers were able to score two first-quarter touchdowns, then add a critical field goal to finish off the Lions 17-10 at Don J. Bunge Field. It was the seventh straight victory for LHS and the first overall victory for first-year LaVille coach Jeff Kaiser.Kaiser's crew won the toss, deferred to the second half, putting the defense on the field first for LHS.Ultimately that turned out to be a strategy that may have just won the game LaVille. On the game's third play from scrimmage, Lancer free safety Collin Czarnecki stepped in front of Silas Laidig's pass attempt for an interception. Czarnecki led LaVille in interceptions in 2022.Senior quarterback Lucas Plummer directed the Lancer offense from the Bremen 38. The offensive line and running back Cody Allen got things started quickly on a 13-yard gain on the first play.  Allen then closed the first scoring drive of the year with a six-yard touchdown run.  Plummer added the point-after for a 7-0 lead. After forcing BHS to punt, LaVIlle went on a six-play 50 yard drive to the end zone.  LaVIlle was able to mix in Allen, Jonathan Neese and a fine 23-yard pitch and catch from Plummer to Michael Good to turn a 3rd-and-15 at their own 45 into a 1st-and-10 at the Bremen 32. Good was able to outjump a pair of defenders for the first passing first down of the season.Allen closed off the scoring drive by darting 14 yards to paydirt.  Plummer added his second PAT and the score was 14-0 midway through the first quarter."It was huge," Kaiser said when asked about jumping ahead 14-0.  "We talked about getting a fast start.""Anytime you can win on the road against a big rival is always a great thing.  We faced adversity a bit and still got the job done." Bremen was then able to settle down and put together a scoring drive of its own to start the second quarter.Laidig got the passing game fired up, going 4-for-4 for 52 yards.  Graverson and Greene were the primary targets. Greene took a Laidig toss 29 yards as Bremen went from its own territory into the LaVille side of the field for the first time in the game.The Lions were slowed by a holding penalty past the line of scrimmage forcing coach Jordan Leepers team into a 3rd-and-long.  After a short pass, Graverson then converted a 38-yard field goal to put Bremen on the board, trailing LaVille 14-3 at halftime. In the third quarter, LaVille punted twice, Bremen once and the Lions were forced to turn the ball over on downs, as the game continued with LHS maintaining its 14-3 lead."They mixed some fronts up on us and it gave us some trouble," explained Kaiser. "We showed our youth.  We've got a lot of work to do. We'll go watch some film and work to get better each down." Plummer was able to extend the lead by hitting a field goal that was just inside the 30-yard line for a 39-yard field goal. Laidig was finally able to help his team reach the end zone, finishing off a 51 yard drive by connecting with Greene for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Graverson added the PAT, closing the gap to 17-10 with 3:16 to play. LaVille's offense, however, was able to run out the clock thanks in part due to a running into the kicker penalty as Plummer booted a 49-yard field goal attempt.Allen then took a 4th-and-1 for a three-yard gain.  Plummer finished the game by taking a knee on two straight plays."We were able to finish them off there in the fourth," said Kaiser.  "I felt like we shifted a gear there in the fourth, found some extra energy. We've got a lot to work on. We've got to play four quarters.  We solidly played one quarter tonight, but we got complacent.  We've got to shore that up."Allen closed a strong rushing effort with a career-high 157 yards on 25 carries and two TDs. "Cody Allen is a workhorse that has paid his dues the past couple seasons waiting for his moment to be a premier back," said Kaiser of his junior running back. "He is extremely coachable, understands the game and is going to fight for more on every play.  We are excited to see his confidence and maturity continue to excel each week." For Bremen, Laidig completed 14 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. Kaiser not only watched his squad start the season off at 1-0, but it's his first victory as a head coach and in rivalry series. "This is a win that I personally will never forget," explained Kaiser.  "The 43 players we have on this team along with my entire coaching staff made this moment happen, and doing so on the road - against rival Bremen - made it even better.  It truly sank in once we got back to the school and the team presented me with a game ball signed dedicated to this first win . . . This group is a special group to me!!!" Bremen (0-1) will travel to South Bend Washington (0-1), while LaVille (1-0) will open Hoosier North Athletic Conference play by playing host to Triton (1-0) on August 25.  Both games are scheduled for a 7 p.m.kick."It's a big week 2 game against another rival in Triton and it's our conference opener . . . remember that if you were part of our Youth Football Camp and wear your shirt you will get in free." LAVILLE 17, BREMEN 10 At Don J. Bunge Field Score By Quarters LV 14 0 0 3 - 17 B 0 3 0 7 - 10 Scoring Summary LV - Cody Allen 6 run; Lucas Plummer kick LV - Allen 14 run; Plummer kick B - Tyrus Graverson 38  LV - Plummer 39 FG B - Reece Greene 38 pass from Silas Laidig; Graverson kick                                     LV            B First Downs                 12            8 Yards Rushing            179         10 Comp-Att-Int             3-8-0    14-20-1 Passing Yards              32         171 Fumbles-Lost              1-1        0-0 Punts-Avg                  4-38       2-33 Pen-Yds                     6-30      7-45