NORTH JUDSON - Prior to LaVille and North Judson-San Pierre joining the Hoosier North Athletic Conference in 2015, the Lancers and Blue Jays met five times in high school football from 1972 until 2014. Fast forward in time to the beginning of the 2015-16 school year and the HNAC forming a nine-school conference. That included longtime independent North Judson-San Pierre and the former Northern State Conference club from LaVille. Since then, the two have met on the gridiron 14 times since 2015. Early on, the Lancers led the series 5-2. Then came some overtime thrillers, including the epic 2022 OT battle won 27-21 won by LaVille. Though LHS leads the all-time series 10-8, NJSP has won the last three straight in the small-school showdown. The Jays fought off a late-game rally by coach Jeff Kaiser's club to sneak away with a 21-14 victory at Liberty Field. Friday's Halloween Night 1A Sectional #41 has a little more on the line. It'll be LaVille (6-4) at North Judson-San Pierre (8-2) in one of the best IHSAA Class 1A match-ups of the night. The game is scheduled to kick off at 7:30pm ET from Liberty Field. Bragging rights in what has become a rivalry game, but more than that, a trip to the sectional championship game. "North Judson vs. LaVille is for sure a big rivalry game now for many years," said Kaiser. "Seems like each time we have faced them over the past 10 years something has been on the line whether it be our old conference battles to now the post season the last couple years. Old fashion smash mouth football." Kaiser and his Lancer unit have looked at the film from the August 29 meeting and expect another battle. "You're going to see them run the option game very well and then sling it when they need to," said Kaiser when asked about the Blue Jays. "Their skilled guys understand that offense very well and have the line that likes to get after you so we have to focus on stopping the run first. Then on the defensive side of the ball, they play the same style of defense we play. They tackle well and get to the football in a hurry." NJSP has several ball carriers who can hurt a team. Logan Pradke, Evan McGowen, and Grason McDaniel have rushed for over 1,600 yards combined with 20 touchdowns. The Jays have put together over 2500 yards on the ground and 34 touchdowns. "Again we must play 48 minutes, win the battle in the trenches, tackle well and create turnovers," closed the Lancer boss. "Field position is going to be key so special teams have to make plays." It's time for a small-school showdown ... IHSAA 1A SECTIONAL #41 GAMEDAY Semifinal #1 LaVille (6-4) at 1A #7 North Judson-San Pierre (8-2) Kick: 7:30 pm ET, Liberty Field Coaches: Jeff Kaiser, 23-12 in 3rd year at LaVille. Brett Lambert, 68-22 in 7th year at North Judson. Last Outing: LaVille def. Culver Community, 35-0. North Judson-San Pierre def. South Central (Union Mills), 59-6 All-Time Series: LaVille leads North Judson-San Pierre, 10-8 Last Meeting: 1A #5 North Judson-San Pierre def. 1A #11 LaVille, 21-14, August 29, 2025 All-Time Tournament Series: Tied, 3-3 Semifinal #2 Bowman Academy (6-4) at 1A #10 West Central (9-1) Kick: 7:30 pm ET, West Central HS Last Outing: Bowman Academy def. North Newton, 36-30. West Central def. South Newton, 74-12 Series Last 40 Years: First meeting All-Time Tournament Series: First meeting