2016 is Bluffton High School’ year for soccer in the Northwest Conference. Both boys’ and girls’ team won NWC titles and finished unbeaten in conference play. And, the all-Northwest Conference teams are loaded with Pirates.
Boys’ soccer
Senior Antony Kingsley, was named the 2016 boys’ soccer Northwest Conference Player of The Year and boys’ coach Steve Smucker was named Coach of the Year.
Kingsley was a unanimous selection as player of the year in a vote where coaches could not vote for their own players.
Bluffton hosted the Allen East Mustangs for the second time this year in the Division III sectional semifinal game on Tuesday night.
Both teams battled significant wind on Steinmetz Field in front of a packed stadium.
The score was 0-0 at the end of the first half, but the the Lady Pirates managed to land goal 1 at the 33 minute mark of the second half, when Sophomore Averey Rumor played the ball up to Senior Sarah Theisen, who dribbled up field and hit the back of the net.
The Bluffton seventh grade girls' volleyball team earned second place in this year's Northwest Conference volleyball play.
Team members are, back from left, Coach Green, Sophie Bricker, Lauren Swartzlander, Skyler Scoles, Kylie Stackhouse, Ellie Nickles, Cara Young, Avery Zuercher, Ella Krupp.
Front from left, Haelyn Bischoff, Alexis White, Kylie Monday, Anna Knauss, Kiera Rieman.
By Sam Brauen
Ada and Bluffton came into their Week 8 matchup headed in two different directions.
The Bulldogs had won three straight contests while the Pirates found themselves on the short side of the scoreboard the last three weeks. The game was tight for a half before Ada pulled away in the third quarter for a 38-14 victory.
Both defenses stood tall in the first quarter. Bluffton forced a turnover on downs on Ada’s first possession. On Ada’s next possession, the pass happy Bulldogs attempted a halfback pass.
Lincolnview won the boys' championship and Columbus Grove won the girls' title in the Northwest Conference cross country meet run Saturday morning in Columbus Grove.
Bluffton finished sixth overall in the boys' standings and did not enter a girls' team.
Crestview finished second in both races. Columbus Grove (boys) and Lincolnview (girls) took third place finishes. Junior High races were won by Columbus Grove (boys) and Crestview (girls).
