Football Sets Tone Early; Bremen next for Sectional Championship
By Scot Shearer | Nov 1, 2023 12:09 PM
WHITING - LaVille head football coach Jeff Kaiser wanted to set the tone early. LaVille scored on each of its seven first half possessions but one to build a 44-0 halftime lead. The Lancers would go on to win the 2A Sectional 33 semifinal 50-0 over Whiting at a soggy Galavan Field. "The biggest key was for us to set the tone right away and let Whiting know we were there to take care of business," said LaVille coach Jeff Kaiser. "I felt we adjusted to the travel very well and were locked in from the time we arrived. Very pleased with the mindset." Cody Allen was the workhorse on the opening drive carrying the ball eight consecutive times on the first drive, including a 22 yard run for a touchdown as LaVille's offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage. Allen finished with 202 yards on 18 carries and a pair of touchdowns. "Our OLine has improved tremendously throughout the season," Kaiser said of the Lancer front five. "These guys understand their assignments, make adjustments as a unit as needed and get after it. Its no secret we like to have a balanced attack and they have to make that possible upfront to be effective." After a Whiting punt, Kaiser's club hit pay dirt again. This time Jonathan Neese packed bags for an 11-yard TD run to put the visitors on top 14-0 with 6:38 left in the first quarter. The Lancers continued its offensive control by scoring four more times in the second quarter. Allen scored his second touchdown on a 10 yard scamper. With rain pelting down, a weather induced punt traveled 12 yards by the Oilers that set LaVille up at the Whiting 46. A reverse to Collin Czarnecki set Michael Good up inside the red zone for the pass play. Czarnecki hit a wide open Good and the 6'3" receiver raced the final yards for the score. On the ensuing kickoff, Plummer's kick was taken inside the 5 and the Lancer kickoff return team tackled the Whiting return man at the Oiler 9. Three plays later, the ball was snapped over quarterback Nick Davenport's head and the Whiting signal caller kicked the ball out of the end zone for a safety. Kaiser's crew scored one more time before halftime after taking its final first half possession 9 plays and 32 yards for a touchdown. Plummer found Czarnecki deep in the end zone for a 5-yard TD reception. Whiting's defense did not have an answer for LaVille's power on the offensive line and Allen's ability to maneuver his way into the secondary. With LaVille ahead by more than 35 points in the second half, the game was finished under a running clock. Chase Lee made his way across the goal line after scooting 21 yards. Lee finished with 60- yards on 13 totes. "Our running game has been very impressive these last few weeks in that multiple guys are moving the ball for us," Kaiser said of the LaVille running game. "In order to continue our success, each of them have to run with purpose and move the sticks for us." The Lancer passing game finished 5-of-9, one interception, and two touchdown passes. Kaiser's defense held Whiting to just five yards rushing and 45 yards passing for 50 yards in the first half. The Oilers finished the game with under 100 total yards of offense. "Defensively we felt we would have success if we were playing as a unit confident and fast," Kaiser noted of his 6th-best defense in Class 2A. "We were physical and made sure we were playing assignment football. " The Lancers are allowing just 12.9 points per game through 11 games. LaVille improves to 10-1 overall and will play host to Bremen on Friday, November 3, for the Sectional 33 championship. "This matchup is LaVille vs. Bremen . . . enough said!" said Kaiser. "Lets pack the stands Lancer Nation and show them what a home crowd is all about!" LAVILLE 50, WHITING 0 At Galavan Stadium, Whiting, IN. Points By Quarter LaVille 14 30 6 0 - 50 Whiting 0 0 0 0 - 0 Scoring Summary LV - Cody Allen 22 run; Lucas Plummer kick LV - Jonathan Neese 11 run; Plummer kick LV - Allen 10 run; Plummer kick LV - Michael Good 46 pass from Collin Czarnecki; Plummer kick LV - Neese 1 run; Plummer kick LV - Safety Ball kicked out of end zone LV - Czarnecki 5 pass from Plummer; Plummer kick LV - Chase Lee 21 run; kick failed LV W First Downs 22 7 Yards Rushing. 374 36 Comp-Att-Int 5-9-1 6-19-0 Yards Passing 73 57 Punts-Avg 0-0 6-23 Penalties-Yards 3-20 0-0 Fumbles 1 2