By Cort Reynolds The Bluffton High School football team will meet Patrick Henry in the Div. VI, Region 22 finals Friday, November 22 at 7 p.m. at a site to be announced. The potent Patriots have outscored their opposition 437-83 (33.6 ppg-6.4 ppg) this season over 13 games so far. Bluffton has outscored its opposition by a 541-129 margin over 13 games this season (41.6 ppg to 9.9 ppg). The PH defense has posted four shutouts, and has allowed seven points or less in five other games. They pounded Evergreen 35-4 in round one, then blanked Carey 24-0 in round two. The Pats then upset H-L in round three. Like Bluffton, they defeated the same opponent in the regional semifinals in 2023 and 2024. One of the two Patriot losses was a 27-13 defeat at 13-0 Columbus Grove in week three. The other defeat came at home to unbeaten Liberty Center by a 21-15 count in week seven. ▶︎
DEFIANCE __ The Bluffton High School football team used an explosive offense to blast Ottawa Hills 61-22 in their Div. VI, Region 22 semifinal matchup at neutral-site Fred J. Brown Stadium in Defiance on a crisp and cool Friday night, November 15.
Bluffton senior running back Landen Worcester tallied five of his six touchdowns in the first half to key a 26-7 second period outburst that broke the game open.
After falling behind 15-13, the Pirates scored 41 unanswered points in the middle quarters to blow out the Green Bears for the second straight year in the same playoff round.
The Pirates scored on five straight possessions in the first half to take control of a wild offensive battle. Bluffton then hit paydirt on their three third period drives to put the game well out of reach.
Bluffton improved to 12-1 with the victory to advance to the regional finals for the second straight season. The third-seeded Green Bears ended up 10-2 after the loss. ▶︎
The donors listed above are supporting the Bluffton Public Library's 2024 Holiday Gift Silent Auction. The fundraiser continues through Wed., Nov. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and is a way to get your holiday shopping done all while benefiting the library and community. ▶︎
The 38th annual Blaze of Lights holiday celebration, including the lighting of the Ream collection of vintage Christmas folk art, is scheduled for Saturday, November 30 in downtown Bluffton, Ohio.
The Ream display and thousands of lights in the surrounding trees are available for nightly viewing on the lawn of Bluffton Presbyterian Church, 102 N. Main Street, Bluffton from November 30 through January 1. The community joins in the Blaze spirit with numerous residential holiday light displays and folk-art decorations throughout the Village located off I-75. SCHEDULE ▶︎
The November 13 meeting of the Bluffton Board of Education included both business and the pleasure of hearing reports directly from middle school students. (Agenda attached below.)
INCOME TAX RENEWAL
A Resolution of Necessity was approved for a tax levy renewal on the upcoming May 2025 ballot. The first levy was passed in 2007. It is a ½ % income tax that raises $1,158,543 annually. Funds generated from the levy help maintain facilities and continue to enhance the school district.
VISITORS
Keith Horner, Superintendent of the Apollo Career Center, updated the board on programs and future initiatives. Currently 39 students from Bluffton attend Apollo. The school now has Fire, Police and Truck Driving programs in a new building and can do testing for CDLs on site. The school plans to introduce a High School Criminal Justice program next year. ▶︎
