NORTH JUDSON - Playing in November for high school football teams is special. Especially when it comes to IHSAA hardware. And in the Class 1A ranks, the small-school football rivalry between North Judson-San Pierre and LaVille is one of the best. After 10 years playing each other in the Hoosier North Athletic Conference, the two football rivals wanted to keep right on playing. So the athletic administration of both North Judson and LaVille found a way to make it happen as a non-conference game during the regular season. Back in August, the Blue Jays defeated the Lancers, 32-8, at Lancer Field. On Friday night, November 8 at Liberty Field in North Judson, Indiana, that rivalry continues. This time it will mean a little more. Following the ping-pong balls sending the Blue Jays and Lancers into opposite sides of the IHSAA 1A Sectional #41 bracket, it comes to which team can execute a little better, make one more big play than the other, and score just one more point. The prize - raise the sectional championship trophy high and play for another week. The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. kick at Liberty Field. For those that can not make it to the game, it can be watched via live stream by clicking https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=1540590 Our friends at MAX 98.3FM will have the audio, while LVH1 will supply the pictures. Coach Brett Lambert's Judson team smothered South Newton, 71-0, then last week shutout Culver, 58-0. The Blue Jays also started the season as the No.1-rated team in 1A, and continue to hold that position. Since the 1A state tournament started three weeks ago, the Lancers defeated West Central, 41-6, and held North Newton scoreless in a convincing 49-0 victory. So what did LaVille coach Jeff Kaiser and the coaches find out about their team in the first two weeks of the state tourney? "... So far these guys do not want the season to be over," said the third-year Lancer skipper. "They are playing with emotion and pride and have continued practicing hard. Some teams have wanted their seasons to be over and we have not sensed that at all from this team." As Kaiser and his club head about an hour south and west, he knows this LaVille-NJSP rivalry is special. "Judson-LaVille has turned into probably one of the best small school rivalries for several years now," Kaiser said as the teams get ready for the 17th all-time meeting. "They have hard nosed kids that love football, we have hard nosed kids that love football ... Their community and families love football and Lancer Nation loves our football team ... so when you have that buy-in from everyone involved and the surrounding support from the community it always brings an extra level of intensity. We have been in some intense battles in which games have been decided by 1 score or less. I rank this as one of the best small school program matchups in the state year in and year out." In recent history, games have been decided by 3, 6, 1, and 2 points, including two games that were decided in overtime. "Offensively they run a flexbone style that is a ground and pound style first, but can and will throw the ball," says Kaiser of North Judson. "They use multiple guys to run the ball and will look to wear you down in doing so. Defensively they are running a mirror image of our defense and run it well. MLB's are aggressive and they swarm to the ball." According to the LaVille coach, some key guys on both sides of the ball are QB/S (Jesiah) McDaniels, FB/LB (Brock) Benson, RB/LB (Kole) Wilcox, OL/DL (Cole) Kozecar, OL/DL (CJ) Sanchez. Kaiser and the Lancers know they will need to stay on-point in all three phases of the game. "We must play disciplined and assignment football in all three phases of the game for 48 minutes," explained Kaiser. "We must sustain drives on offense, finish with points, and do not turn the ball over. Defensively we must win first downs and get 3rd/4th down stops and force some turnovers. Special Teams wise we need to win the field position battle and be able to flip the field when needed." The LaVille boss encourages the Lancer faithful to dress warm and come out to support the team. "We hope to see and hear Lancer Nation in full force as the team battles for a sectional championship," concluded Kaiser. " Pack your coats and blankets and come witness one of the best small school football matchups in the state tonight! GO LV!" The LaVille-North Judson winner will face the Taylor-Pioneer winner in the Nov. 15 regional round. Please find more regional round information below. Game on ... GAMEDAY 1A Sectional #41 Championship LaVille (6-5) at #1 North Judson-San Pierre (11-0) At Liberty Field, North Judson, IN. Kick: 7:30 p.m. Coaches: Jeff Kaiser, 17-7 in 2nd year at LaVille. Brett Lambert, 57-19 in 6th year at North Judson Last Outing: LaVille def. North Newton, 49-0. North Judson def. Culver Community, 58-0 All-Time Series: LaVille leads North Judson, 10-6 Last Meeting: North Judson def. LaVille, 32-8, Aug. 30, 2024 All-Time Tournament Meetings: LaVille leads North Judson, 3-2 Live Stream: https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=1540590 1A Sectional #42 Championship Taylor (6-5) at #11 Pioneer (8-3) At The Pit, Royal Center, IN. Coaches: Rob Patchett, 6-5 at Taylor, 56-77 in 13th year overall. Adam Berry, 88-24 in 9th year at Pioneer Last Outing: Taylor def. Tri-County, 32-6. Pioneer def. Carroll (Flora), 49-7 Series Last 35 years: 1st meeting All-Time Tournament Meetings: 1st meeting Live Stream: https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=1527673 POTENTIAL IHSAA CLASS 1A REGIONAL FOOTBALL PAIRINGS North Judson at Taylor OR - Pioneer at LaVille OR - North Judson at Pioneer OR - LaVille at Taylor