BOURBON — Working out the kinks. It's just week one of the 2025 high school football regular season and Matt Thacker watched as his club worked through some rough patches. And after the Lancers fumbled on their first series, Thacker took in and reflected on a 24-6 LaVille victory at Trojan Tundra Friday. "The effort, when they first got here (at Triton) you could see the effort," said the first-year LHS boss. "The kids just wanted to be successful." After an exchange of turnovers - a fumble by LaVille and an interception from Triton - followed by a punt by each team, LHS used a seven-play drive to get into the end zone. Quarterback Griffen Smith kept the ball off the triple-option four yards into the end zone. Caleb Skiles came on to add the first of three point-after-touchdowns. Triton moved the ball offensively as the first quarter closed and the second period began. But the Blue Crew defense stuffed the Trojans on downs inside the 40. On LaVille's next possession, the offense worked the ball for 12 plays and over four minutes off the clock. Thacker's offense did throw the ball four times during the scoring drive, including a couple of corner routes before Skiles, the LaVille punter, read the defense and picked up a much-needed first down. Skiles tossed a 23-yard pass to a wide open Konnor Amor to push the Lancers into Triton territory. "At that point, that fourth and nine play was a very important play for us," said Thacker. "Going from fourth and long to a first down, we kept the drive going and got some points right before halftime. "I learned a long time ago that when you have the chance to get points right before halftime, you take it." Skiles nailed a 26-yard field goal and it was 10-0 at the half. Another big play came to start the third period. The Blue Crew defense forced the home team to punt before taking the ball just short of the red zone. On Triton's punt, Konnor Amor raced 25 yards to the Trojan 21, before getting his number called on the very first offensive play in the second half. Amor hustled 21 yards around the left side over the goal line and it was 17-0. "We made some nice plays, reading the defense," noted Thacker. "You can see that there is another level and that is exciting. Yes, we made some mistakes, yes we made one fumble, we didn't have any interceptions." A Lancer score on the first series of the fourth quarter extended the lead and ended the night for the first-team defense. LaVille's Dylan Miller found an opening on the left side and outran the Trojan defensive unit for a 24-0 lead. Triton was able to score on the LHS defensive unit, but in the end coach Thacker wanted to finish the goal for Week #1. "The defense played great," explained Thacker. "The JV came in and gave us all they got. Everybody wants a shutout, but you've got to develop the younger kids." THS senior Israel Miller converted a fourth-and-10 from the 10 yard line to Hayden Bradley for a touchdown. The two-point conversion pass failed for the final count. Ryder Gayheart rushed unofficially for 169 yards to lead the Triton offense. Triton was unable to overcome an early deficit Friday night as LaVille defeated the Trojans 24-6 at Trojan Tundra in the 2026 season opener. Bradley caught two passes for 45 yards. LaVille opens the season at 1-0 and are scheduled to play host to IFCA 1A #5 North Judson-San Pierre Friday August 28 at 7:30 PM. The Trojans (0-1), meanwhile, travel to IFCA #19 Bremen Aug. 28 at Don J. Bunge Field. LAVILLE 24 TRITON 6 At The Trojan Tundra LaVille 7 3 7 7 24 Triton 0 0 0 6 6 Scoring Summary L - Griffen Smith 4 run; Caleb Skiles kick L - Skiles 26 FG L - Konnor Amor 21 run; Skiles kick L - Dylan Miller 26 run; Skiles kick T - Hayden Bradley 10 pass from Israel Miller; pass failed LaVille Statistics Rushing: Dylan Miller 8-126 yards, one touchdown; Lawrence Wood 17-66 yards; Konnor Amor 5-34, one touchdown; Griffen Smith one touchdown Passing: Griffen Smith 1-6-0 23 yards Receiving: Konnor Amor 1-23 yards Punting: Caleb Skiles 3-117, 39.0 average