MAX Game of the Week Recap: Last-minute drive helps LaVille nip Bremen
BREMEN – Another week, yet another fantastic finish for MAX 98.3 FM’s Game of the Week.
Yes, we were treated to our second-straight thrilling Indiana high school football game on Sept. 13 as LaVille rallied to beat host Bremen, 13-12.
The Lancers led 7-6 at halftime and midway through the fourth quarter, and then the excitement started.
Bremen looked as though it had put together the game-winning drive when senior quarterback Silas Laidig connected classmate Luke Kincaid for an impressive 37-yard touchdown catch with just 3:21 to play. Laidig’s pass was perfectly thrown and Kincaid made a very nice over-the-shoulder grab to cap a four-play, 52-yard drive.
Lion senior running back Carson Anderson, however, was stuff on the two-point conversion and the host’s led 12-6.
LaVille would start its memorable drive on its own 32.
Lancer quarterback Collin Czarnecki saved his best for when it mattered the most.
Czarnecki was excellent on the ensuing drive. He connected on 5-of-7 passes for 50 yards, including a six-yard TD toss to junior receiver Brayden Schwitz with just 36 seconds remaining in the game.
Czarnecki also added an 11-yard run during the game-winning drive to put his team in the red zone.
The two-point try failed, but the Lancers led 13-12.
LaVille’s defense held to solidify the win and the Lancers had won their second game in a row to even their record at 2-2.
Needless to say, LaVille head coach Jeff Kaiser was pleased to see Czarnecki step up when his team needed him to.
“It’s good for him,” Kaiser told the South Bend Tribune of Czarnecki’s heroics. “He’s a senior leading the team. He directed the final drive flawlessly. This should only build his confidence.”
Kaiser is correct. Nothing should help a player, let alone a team’s confidence more than pulling out a game in the waning moments.
“I knew we could move the ball,” the second-year LaVille head coach said. “We struggled all night, but with three minutes left, it was time to move it. The kids believed in themselves.”
The win was even more valuable when you consider the game was LaVille and Bremen’s first in the inaugural Indiana Northern State Conference.
“That was the message all week: 1-3 vs. 2-2 and 1-0 in the conference. It’s a tight conference. We’ve put together two wins in a row to help wash away those two losses. We just keep improving.”
Bremen had its chances, particularly in the first half when it had three drives start on the Lancers’ half of the field, but only managed six points.
The Lions’ defense was good, especially against the run. They held LaVille’s leading rusher senior Cody Allen to 24 carries for 59 yards and a score.
Allen’s touchdown run came from two yards out with 10:44 was left in the first half to give his team a 7-6 lead.
Bremen scored the game’s first points when Anderson scored from four yards out with just under three minutes to play in the first quarter. The PAT missed so the Lions led 6-0 at the 2:50 mark.
The Lions’ cause was severely hampered by a knee injury to senior receiver/defensive back Ty Graverson. Graverson suffered the injury in the win over Triton and was sidelined for the second straight game.
“I felt like we played pretty well, but if (Graverson) is on the field, it’s different,” Kaiser said. “I’m not saying we’d lost the game, but he’s a playmaker.”
The Lancers defense was salty all night, recording seven tackles. Leading the way were senior Jon Neese and junior Braedyn Foster, who each had a dozen tackles. Neese had a sack, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble. Foster had three tackles for loss.
“We weren’t able to get off our blocks up front and they caused some chaos in the backfield,” Bremen head coach Jordan Leeper admitted.
For Leeper’s defense, seniors Will Stiles and Austin Young led the way with 12 and nine tackles, respectively.
It was a celebratory night at Don Bunge Field as both the 1989 (the Lions’ first state title) and 1994 state championship football teams were honored.
Now we will see if the Lancers can increase their winning straight to three games as they host 3-1 Tippecanoe Valley tonight, while 2-2 Bremen will look to get back on the winning track as it travels to 2-2 Jimtown.
MAX LAVILLE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Czarnecki 9-of-15, 104 yds., 1 TD
MAX BREMEN PLAYER OF THE GAME: Anderson 26 carries = 119 yds., 1 TD
Special thanks to Woodlawn Health in Rochester for being one of MAX 98.3 FM WYMR’S loyal sponsors. For more than 100 years, Woodlawn Health has provided quality, first-class healthcare to the residents of Fulton County and the surrounding areas. Please give their website a visit by going to https://woodlawnhospital.org/
Special thanks to Plumlee Dentistry in Plymouth for helping us bring you Indiana High School Athletics like no one else and for being the proud sponsor of the Plumlee Radio Booth, our on-location broadcast site at games. Please give their website a visit by going to https://plumleedentistry.com/
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