NORTH JUDSON - Heading into the IHSAA Class 1A Sectional #41 high school football championship, everyone pretty much knew that No.1-rated North Judson-San Perre liked to run the football. The Blue Jays won the opening toss and wanted the football. LaVille's Blue Crew defense played tough in the opening series before North Judson converted a fourth down play that ended up with a Jessiah McDaniel 18-yard touchdown run and the Jays were off and running. LHS battled the entire game before succumbing 44-18 at Liberty Field. Despite trailing 32-0 at halftime, coach Jeff Kaiser's club scored three touchdowns in the third quarter to gain some momentum heading into the fourth period. LaVille got on the board after Cody Allen scored from the 1-yard line to close up an 11-play, 73-yard TD drive. Lancer quarterback Collin Czarnecki was able to find Brayden Schwitz for a 24-yard pitch and catch. Following the LHS score, the Lakeville guests opted for an on-side kick and recovered. Coach Brett Lambert's club ended up rushing 61 times for nearly 400 yards. The Blue Jay trio of McDaniel, Kole Wilcox, and Brock Benson rushed for 100 yards each and five touchdowns to win their fourth straight sectional title. As challenging as the first half was for LaVille, the third quarter showed the team’s character. The Lancers could have given up, but promptly used an 11-play, 73-yard drive to get on the board. Nine of the plays were runs by Cody Allen and covered 57 of the yards, including the last one for the score. After Brock Benson hit pay dirt from 10 yards out to make it 38-6, LaVille fought right back with a quick scoring drive. A trio of Czarnecki passes were part of a five-play set that ended with one for the end of the year highlights. With Schwitz running what looked like a post route, Czarnecki rolled right, then threw toward the sideline as Schwitz made a spectacular diving catch for a 24-yard TD strike. Earlier in that 5-play drive, Schwitz hauled in a 30-yard half-back pass from Cole Stafford to set LaVille up inside the Judson 25. On the ensuing kick, Czarnecki kicked the ball right at the Blue Jays up-man. The ball bounced off the North Judson player and was pounced on by Braedyn Foster. On the next play, Czarnecki found David Mitchell for a 38-yard gain and two running plays later, Allen got the Lancers back in the end zone for LaVille's third touchdown of the quarter. Czarnecki finished 9 of 15 through air for 131 yards and a touchdown pass. He finished his final season with 1,514 yards passing and 15 touchdown passes. Allen rushed 17 times for 94 yards and a pair of TDs. He closed up his senior season with 1,158 yards and 14 TDs. LaFave was the top receiver, hauling down four passes for 39 yards. He concluded his last season with 653 yards receiving and six TD receptions. Defensively, Jonathan Neese ended his career with a career-high 24 tackles. Foster, only a junior, added a career-high 21 tackles against North Judson. North Judson-San Pierre 44, LaVille 18 At North Judson Sectional 41 Score by quarters LaVille 0 0 18 0 - 18 NJSP 24 8 6 6 - 44 Scoring Summary NJ - Jesiah McDaniel 18 run (Kole Wilcox run) NJ - Jesiah McDaniel 5 run (McDaniel run) NJ - Wilcox 38 interception return (Brock Benson run) NJ - Benson 4 run (Benson run) LV - Cody Allen 1 run (pass failed) NJ - Benson 10 run (run failed) LV - Brayden Schwitz 24 pass from Collin Czarnecki (pass failed) LV - Allen 4 run (run failed) NJ - Benson 1 run (run failed) LV NJSP First downs 11 21 Yards rushing 80 383 Yards passing 145 53 Passing 10-19-2 2-3-0 Punts-avg 2-40 0-0 Fumbles lost 0 2 Penalties 3-24 4-25