INDIANAPOLIS - Matching up against one of the best. Saturday's high school football game was a chance to see where LaVille football measures up against other programs in Indiana. A chance presented itself earlier in the spring for LHS to face Evansville Mater Dei in week three of the regular season schedule. The Wildcats have a lengthy success record, with the latest a state championship in 2022. "If we want to get to where we want to go, we have to be willing to embrace challenges like playing a program like (Evansville) Mater Dei," said LaVille head coach Matt Thacker after his club split a five hour drive to face the Class 3A No.1-ranked Wildcats. "I think it says we have a plan in mind on what it will take to make a deep run in the state tournament. Our conference is one piece of that puzzle; staying healthy and developing depth is another piece, but to have an opportunity to play a program like Evansville Mater Dei displays that we are willing to take that next step. It provides a change of schedule, traveling, playing on a Saturday afternoon and not on Friday night. All of these take us out of our comfort zones, and growth doesn’t happen if you’re always comfortable.” LaVille battled before the Wildcats came away with a 48-0 victory over the Lancers. "I was a little surprised, as hot as it was on the turf, that we played," noted Thacker. "We got through it pretty well. We stayed hydrated." LaVille received the opening kickoff and was able to move the sticks to near midfield before giving up the ball on downs. Mater Dei mixed the run with the pass the entire game. In fact, the Wildcats scored five times in the first half The excuse could have been made with a long bus ride, playing on a Saturday, the heat, being out of routine, etc. But Thacker wouldn't hear of it. "Out of routine is an excuse," said the Lancer coach. "Mater Dei was out of their routine as well with the heat and practice being all over the place was interesting, but we adjusted well. However, Mater Dei is a very good football team and I would not be surprised to see them go far come tourney time." Senior Noah Menis got the start at quarterback for LHS and we asked Coach Thacker about Menis running the controls. "Noah is a football player. Doesn't get too high or too low and he understands the game and what we are trying to do on offense. He'll continue to get better as we go along, but there is plenty to work on." Despite the final score, there were items the coaches were able to take away from Saturday's game. "Actually, there are more positives than the score would indicate," said Thacker. "But you have to know what you're looking for and we went through it quickly with the team as we began to prepare for Bremen. The big positive is that last weekend was an example of what we want to get to and that is to take a trip to Indy. Although, I would prefer to play in Lucas Oil." In the end, this Lancer football challenge tested the team in every facet—offense, defense, roster depth, and tradition. Thacker's club moves to 1-2 overall and will play the third consecutive state-ranked opponent September 11 at neighborhood and conference rival Bremen (3-0). "Bremen poses all kinds of problems for us and we have to be ready to meet those challenges," said Thacker about a rivalry that dates back to 1966. This will be the 59th meeting overall, with Bremen leading LaVille, 41-17. EVANSVILLE MATER DEI 48 LAVILLE 0 At Southport HS | Indianapolis, IN. Score By Quarters LaVille 0 0 0 0 Mater Dei 14 35 41 48 Scoring Summary EMD - Knox Simmons; Hogan Merkey kick EMD - Dylan Bumb 30 pass from Simmons; Merkey kick EMD - Gavin Winegard 10 run; Merkey kick EMD - Brody Overton 30 pass from Simmons;Merkey kick EMD - Edwin Rainey 8 run: Merkey kick EMD - Ty'rie Compton 6 run; kick blocked EMD - Compton 54 run; Merkey kick