LAKEVILLE - As the 2024 Indiana high school football regular season comes to a close, the IHSAA state tournament has all eligible schools to participate. No play-in, no limited entries per class. Everyone gets a chance. Its been said that all teams are 0-0. Coaches play with all their chips in the pot. Teams know that it's win or go home. And as the 52nd IHSAA state football tournament opens, teams across the state from Class 1A through 4A open play on Friday, October 25, with one goal in mind. Survive and advance. West Central, members of the Midwest Conference, bring a 6-3 overall mark to the Lancer Field. The Trojans have won 4 of their last 5 games, including a 26-14 victory over North White to close the regular season. LaVille coach Jeff Kaiser understands the magnitude of Friday's game. "We must play 48 minutes of hard-nosed, disciplined football in all three phases of the game this week," said the third-year Lancer boss. "If we don't we will be hanging our helmets up for the season." According to Kaiser, West Central runs a FlexBone/Wing-T style offense and is a run-heavy team. "They try and get things going in the middle and then will misdirection with a wing every now and then," Kaiser said of the Trojan offense. "A couple of guys we must contain and not allow to get going are fullback Drea Villarreal and quarterback #12 Christian Hughes." Hughes has thrown a handful of times in each of the last couple of games, with no interceptions and no touchdown passes. Villarreal is the leading rusher for the Trojans with 815 yards, with a 5.9 yard per carry average, 8 TDs, and a threat to catch the ball. Villarreal and Jonathan Rowe lead a defense that will bring a tight 4-4/4-3 defense. Villarreal is the top tackler, while Rowe is just a few behind. Both guys are a threat to make big plans behind the line of scrimmage, with Rowe leading the tackle-for-loss category at 8.5. Villarreal has 8.o TFL. West Central's defense has also forced 25 turnovers through 9 games - 14 fumble recoveries and 11 interceptions. LaVille comes in with a 4-5 overall record following a 56-20 victory at Whiting last week. Cole Stafford had a career-night, rushing for 255 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Lancers. "We are excited to get tournament play started," concluded Kaiser, who is 2-0 in opening round sectional games. "And opening up at home is always exciting." Game on . . . GAMEDAY IHSAA CLASS 1A SECTIONAL #41 South Newton (3-6) at North Judson-San Pierre (9-0), 8pm ET Site: Liberty Field, North Judson, IN. Last Outing: South Newton lost to Frontier, 48-7. North Judson-San Pierre defeated Pioneer 6-18 Series Last 35 Years: North Judson-San Pierre leads South Newton, 4-0 Last Meeting: North Judson-San Pierre def. South Newton, 42-0, Oct. 27, 2023 South Central (Union Mills) (2-7) at Culver Community (1-8), 7:30pm ET Site: Cavalier Field, Culver, IN. Last Outing: South Central (UM) def. Culver Community, 30-22. Culver Community lost to South Central (UM), 30-22 Series Last 35 Years: South Central (UM) leads Culver Community, 26-19 Last Meeting: South Central (UM) def. Culver Community, 30-22, Oct. 18, 2024 Bowman Academy (0-9) at North Newton (2-7), 8pm ET Site: Gilbert Field, Morocco, IN. Last Outing: Bowman Academy lost to Knox, 61-6. North Newton lost to Tri-County, 52-8 Series Last 35 Years: North Newton leads Bowman Academy, 3-0 Last Meeting: North Newton def. Bowman Academy, 53-18, Oct. 4, 2024 West Central (6-3) at LaVille (4-5), 7pm ET Site: Lancer Field, Lakeville, IN. Coaches: Marc Hall, 43-68 in 11th year at West Central, 56-86 in 14th year overall. Jeff Kaiser, 15-7 in 2nd year at LaVille Last Outing: West Central def. North White, 26-14. LaVille def. Whiting, 56-20 All-Time Series: LaVille leads West Central, 5-0 Last Meeting: LaVille defeated West Central, 63-16, August 19, 2016 Live Stream: https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=1441360