CORRECTION: The Pirates were 2023 NWC runners up; previously the article incorrectly identified them as co-champions.

By Cort Reynolds

CONVOY – The unbeaten Bluffton High School football team dominated host Crestview 42-0 in a Northwest Conference contest Saturday evening, October 5.

The rugged Pirate defense limited the Knights to just 95 total yards as they posted their second consecutive shutout.

The Pirates improved to 7-0 overall and 4-0 in the NWC with the lopsided road win. Bluffton remains tied for first in the league with fellow unbeaten Columbus Grove (7-0, 4-0 NWC) as the two rivals continue on their week 10 collision course.

Meanwhile, the Knights fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the NWC after the blowout loss. 

The Pirates scored 14 points in both the first and third quarters, and tallied seven apiece in the second and fourth periods.

Pirate senior speedster Griffin Stackhouse scored first on a 14-yard touchdown run in the opening stanza. The extra point kick by Jackson Brauen was good to put the Pirates ahead, 7-0. 

Senior back Landen Worcester then found paydirt on a two-yard run, and Brauen’s PAT boot made it 14-0 after the first period.

Noah Bricker hauled in a 21-yard TD aerial from Bluffton quarterback Tayte Giesige for the only second stanza score. Brauen’s extra point kick put the Pirates on top 21-0 at the half.

Giesige’s 10-yard scoring toss opened the second half and stretched the margin to 28-0. Bricker caught a five-yard TD aerial from Giesige to extend the lead to 35-0 after three periods.

The last Pirate touchdown came in the final minutes of the fourth period. A middle screen lob from Giesige to Bricker reached the Knight 10. On third and goal from the one, Bricker bulled into the endzone off left tackle with 30 seconds left in the game on the running clock.

Brauen’s sixth and last PAT kick with 11 ticks remaining closed the scoring at 42-0.

1 2 3 4 F

Blf 14 7 14 7 42

Cvw 0 0 0 0 0

Notes and stats

Bluffton racked up 347 yards in total offense on 56 plays (6.2 yards average). The Knights managed just 95 net yards on 45 snaps (2.1 avg.).

The Pirates ran for 256 yards and passed for 91 more yards. Bluffton averaged 6.2 yards per rush on 41 carries. 

Crestview netted just 12 yards on the ground on 18 carries against the tough Pirate defense. The Knights amassed 83 yards through the air after completing 10 of 24 attempts.

The Pirates compiled 17 first downs, while Crestview mustered seven chain-movers.

Giesige ran for 58 yards on nine carries, with a long run of 42 yards. He completed eight of 13 passes for 91 yards and three TDs, with no interceptions. 

Stackhouse rushed for 81 yards and one TD on just seven attempts. He also snared two aerials for 18 yards.

Senior Worcester netted 77 yards and one TD on 12 carries. 

Sophomore Parker Lovell ran the ball seven times for 14 yards. Bricker added 12 yards on four runs with one TD.

Bricker also caught three passes for 47 yards and two more scores. 

Quinn Eachus snagged one aerial for 10 yards.

Worcester was in on 10 tackles, including nine assists. Carson Krusemade five assists and two solo tackles. Gabe Meza made three solo and three assisted stops. He had a sack and three tackles for loss. Mason Shank added a sack.

Meza punted once for 58 yards.

The Pirates committed two penalties for 25 yards, while Crestview was flagged three times for 25 yards. 

Bluffton was successful on six of 11 on third down tries, and went 2-3 on fourth. Meanwhile, the Knights converted three of 11 tries on third down and went 0-0 on fourth.

Crestview committed three turnovers on two interceptions and a fumble, while the Pirates made one miscue on a fumble.  

The Pirates have outscored their opposition by a commanding 339-24 margin over seven games this season (48.4 ppg to 3.4 ppg). 

The stingy Bluffton defense has now pitched consecutive shutouts, and has recorded three blankings this season. They have not allowed more than seven points in any contest thus far.

With the win, Bluffton moved up to second in the Div. VI, Region 22 computer rankings. They trail first-place Hopewell-Loudon (7-0) but leap-frogged third-place Huron (6-1) with the Knight win.

Pirates at Redskins Fri.

Bluffton visits new NWC member Fort Loramie Friday, October 11. 

The Redskins are 3-4 overall and 2-2 in league play following a 50-20 loss to Columbus Grove this past Friday.

FL is 2-2 at home while the Pirates are 4-0 on the road.

Loramie is 10th in the Div. VII, Region 28 rankings due to a strong schedule. Marion Local is first in that region. The Redskins average 23.9 points a game and allow 32.1 ppg.

In NWC play FL has beaten Crestview (28-21) and Spencerville (42-21), and lost to Grove and LCC (28-21).

The Pirates have won 16 of their last 17 regular season contests, and have been victorious in 19 of their past 21 outings overall. Columbus Grove handed Bluffton both of its losses in that successful span.

The Pirates host backyard rival Allen East (3-4, 1-3 NWC) in week nine.

In week 10, Bluffton hosts Grove in a regular season finale showdown October 25 on Senior Night. CG is down to its third quarterback due to injuries but still boasts a strong defense and defending NWC Offensive Player of the Year in running back Trenton Barraza.