By Bryan Kress, Icon BHS football writer
Adversity was the word of the day for the Bluffton Pirates on Friday. Despite being down 14-0 in the first, and playing on a day that featured highs of 92 degrees, the Pirates found a way to tie the score before halftime and break another tie late in the game to earn their second victory of the season.
Bluffton's senior quarterback Hunter Joseph started the day with an interception and a lost fumble, but rebounded nicely by completing 9 of 13 passes for 207 yards and 4 touchdowns as well as rushing for 34 yards.
When asked how the team was able to handle the deficit and the heat, Joseph said, "we were able to stick to the coach's game plan" and "when we knew we could hang with them, we were able to pull ahead."
Bluffton's first score of the game came after two rushing touchdowns by Carey when Joseph connected with Jacob Nienberg for a 44-yard touchdown midway into the 1st quarter. Both defenses would hold until Keshaun Hughes' 53-yard run set up a 23-yard pass from Joseph to receiver RJ Stratton.
The possession started on Carey's 18-yard line after an interception by Brandon Deeds. Hughes finished the day with 105 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Bluffton would break the tie with their first possession of the second half when a deep pass to Deeds would set up a 9-yard touchdown pass to Stratton to put Bluffton up 21-14. Stratton finished the day with 3 receptions for 41 yards and 2 touchdowns.
After another Carey score, Bluffton drove down the field and scored on a Jeremy Basinger 1-yard touchdown run that was set up by a Nienberg reception, that put Bluffton ahead again 28-21. Neienberg had 2 receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Carey would drive down the field and score on a run by quarterback Bryce Orians, tying the score at 28-28. Bluffton took the ball down the field and would sit 24 yards away from the end zone on 4th down with less than a minute left.
Instead of taking a chance with a field goal the Pirates decided to gamble and that gamble paid off, Joseph took the snap and rolled right, eventually hitting Isaac Little in stride for the game-winning touchdown.
Bluffton's defense would seal the game when Matt Gillett intercepted Orians' pass and Bluffton would take a knee to win the game.
After giving up the two early scores, Bluffton clamped down on defense and stranded several Carey drives deep in their own territory and were also able to get 3 takeaways.
Bluffton gave up solid yardage on the ground to Carey but were able to put pressure on Carey's quarterback leading to only 3 Carey pass completions. Jeremy Bassinger led the Bluffton defense with 15 tackles, and Landon Sturgill was second on the team with 12.
Bluffton is now 2-0 on the season and will be traveling to Jefferson High School (1-1) in Delphos.
Note: The Icon welcomes Bryan Kress as its Bluffton High School football writer this season. Kress is a Bluffton University broadcast journalism major.
Carey game stats are in attachment at the bottom of this story.
