LAKEVILLE - It was an instant classic. All the talk was that Friday's high school football game between Class 1A #3 North Judson-San Pierre and Class 2A #3 LaVille was going to be a great game. And neither team disappointed the packed house at Lancer Field as the teams went back and forth the entire game. In fact it took overtime for the second straight year to decide the winner. LaVille's Noah Richhart scored the game-winning touchdown on a first-and-goal from the NJSP 10-yard line as the Lancers celebrated a thrilling 27-21 overtime victory over North Judson-San Pierre. "Any time we play North Judson, it's going to be a slobberknocker game," said LaVille head football coach Will Hostrawser. "The game is always a hard hitting, physical and spirited game that will be close. North Judson plays the game the right way - you don't worry about cheap shots - they play hard in all three phases and are very well coached. "As for us, we have played in big games before - but (Friday) night's game was just different," continued Hostrawser. "There were a lot of people all over the state paying attention to that game - it was a microcosm of what high school sports is supposed to be about. I thought our guys were locked in and handled it well. They played hard for 48 minutes - and dug a little deeper to get through the OT to come out on the right side of things." Initially, it looked like Richhart might get a modest 5-yard gain. But the play was never whistled dead and the LaVille offense began to push Richhart closer and closer to the end zone. When all was said and done, the LaVille offense helped muscle Richhart across the goal line and in celebration mode. "I thought the final play really showed what our team is about - a bunch of guys pulling together and refusing to give in," explained Hostrawser. "When (quarterback) Lucas (Plummer) got hurt, we had to rearrange our offensive personnel packages as Collin took over at QB. Guys stepped up and played out of position during the most crucial parts of the game. They answered the challenges they faced - that was special for sure. "A fellow administrator once said to me - "Make the big time where you are at" - (Friday) night North Judson and LaVille played in a big time atmosphere for sure," continued Hostrawser. "Our guys earned the opportunity to play in it. Memories were made (Friday) night by many that will not soon be forgotten." The Blue Jays got on the board first when Cheyenne Allen pushed into the end zone from three yards out for a touchdown. Allen also converted the 2-point conversion On the ensuing drive, it was LaVille's turn to hit paydirt. On a 2nd-and-8 from the Judson 25, Plummer found Owen Smith for a touchdown pass. Plummer hit the point-after to make it an 8-7 margin. LaVille found the end zone again on the last play of the first quarter when Paul DeWitt took a handoff, broke a few tackles and scooted 16 yards for the TD and a 14-8 LHS lead. DeWitt's run was set up after the Lancer defense forced a fumble that was pounced on by Cody Allen. North Judson-San Pierre gained the momentum back in the second quarter as Cheyenne Allen scored on a pair of touchdown runs. The first covered five yards to finish off an 8-play, 57-yard drive. The second came with 0:43 left before halftime as Cheyenne Allen hustled in from three yards out and the guests took a 21-14 lead into the locker room. With the Lancers down seven to start the third quarter, the defense once again rose to the top. LHS yielded just two first downs and a stingy 51 yards of offense in the second half as things got interesting down the stretch. Neither team scored in the third quarter thanks in part to the Lancer calling card - Defense. Garrett Wagoner made a crucial tackle-for-loss that forced NJSP to punt. On Judson's next possession, the BlueJays went for a 4th-and-5 from the LaVille 14, but Ross Wagoner knocked down a pass intended for Cheyenne Allen to give the Lancers the ball on downs. LaVille, however, would lose its quarterback following a 3-yard run. Plummer was brought down by the Blue Jays defense and suffered a blow to his shoulder. He would not return. LaVille tied the score following a Collin Czarnecki interception. Paul DeWitt found daylight on a 32-yard scamper. Brandon Nettrouer kicked the PAT to make it 21-21 with 4:30 left. North Judson-San Pierre was then forced into a three-and-out to give LaVille a shot for a victory in regulation. "Our defense has been our backbone all year,"said the LaVille coach as he watched his defense make several crucial plays in the second half. "(Friday) night was no exception as they pulled together and made plays when they needed to be made. Coming into (Friday) night's game, our defense had collected 22 turnovers and our varsity offense had only 1 - that is a big reason for the success we have experienced so far this season." Other big plays by the LaVille defense included a tackle-for-loss by Ross Wagoner as he tripped up Trey McGowen to force a punt, an interception by Czarnecki, Owen Smith batting down a pass by NJSP quarterback Aldric Harper, and a touchdown saving knock down by Xzavian LaFave at the goal line for the go-ahead score to start the overtime. On the final play of regulation, the Lancer offense was successful in moving the ball down to the Judson 6 with 0:04 remaining. After two Judson timeouts, the LaVille field goal team set up for a potential game-winner. Nettrouer's kick was solid, but drifted left and hit off the left upright as regulation came to a close. In the overtime, NJSP started on offense, but was able to move the ball three yards, setting up a 25-yard FG. The kick was short and LaVille took over on offense, setting up Richhart's run for the history books. "Winning that game was something that will certainly be etched into LaVille football history," said Hostrawser. "It feels good to have been part of it. The final play - the way we won the game I thought was very fitting for us - all working together to find a way to win. When that play was over, I could not help but run on the field to be with our guys to celebrate - it was a release of emotion for all of us. It was a great feeling for sure." LaVille improved to 8-0 overall and 6-0 in the HNAC. The Lancers will travel to Culver Community to finish the regular season on Oct. 14. North Judson-San Pierre moves to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in HNAC play. The Blue Jays will play host to Pioneer, also on Oct. 14.