Blue Jays hopeful their big game experience will be key to victory in sectional championship

NORTH JUDSON, Ind. -- You may remember the North Judson Blue Jays from one of our first editions of Under the Lights this year. Since that August 21 game against Knox, they're 9-1, and their offense has been putting up video game numbers.

The Blue Jays certainly aren't hurting for big game experience. This is head coach Brett Lambert's eighth year at the helm for North Judson, and he's led his boys to the sectional championship or further in all but one of those seasons.

"We always talk about having a championship mentality, and I feel like we have that. Our juniors and seniors have been in Indianapolis, they've been in the last two years of our four-year run of winning four regionals in a row, so we definitely have that experience, the coaching staff has that experience, so I think that goes a long way. Last year, we didn't get to a championship game and that really ate at us this offseason, so we're glad to be back," said Lambert.

This is the second time the Blue Jays have been on Under the Lights this year, with the first time resulting in a 42-0 beatdown of Knox.
But if you ask North Judson, they'd tell you they have vastly improved since that win.

"We've improved a lot, just watching film, getting better each week, we've had a lot of injuries we've had to deal with, but everyone is ready on the team, next man steps up, and we build the chemistry with them," said Javen Christensen, senior quarterback.

If the Jays want to advance to regionals, they're going to have to go through a very good West Central team.

So, what has to happen in order for North Judson to punch their ticket to regionals?

"We need to get physical, we lift weights, we do all that stuff, and you do it for moments like this, when it's cold outside, and you have to have the mentality of okay, we're going to run the ball, going to play great defense and have great special teams, this is what it's all about," said Lambert.

"Our defense is just as good as our offense, there are a lot of guys that play both sides, and there are a lot of guys that just want this trophy tomorrow, and we'll be ready tomorrow," said Christensen.

The Trojans and Bluejays will kick off from Liberty Field Friday at 7:30 Eastern, 6:30 Central.