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. ▶︎

Worcester scores 6 TDs
By Cort Reynolds

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. ▶︎

By Betsi Werling

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. ▶︎

College Credit Plus
There will be a CCP parent and student meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 25 in the Middle School Cafetorium for any students interested in taking CCP courses next year.

Federal Student Aid
There will be a FAFSA meeting for parents and seniors at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26 in the High School Library to discuss FAFSA. A representative from Bluffton University will be there to share important information regarding the FAFSA process.

WBGU-PBS has featured Bluffton's Ten Thousand Villages shop on Scenic Stops & Stories, a series that features regional destinations. The current season features stops in Findlay, Bluffton, Toledo, Grand Rapids, Port Clinton, Columbus, Bryan, Waterville, Delta and Napoleon (Ohio).

The video can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrUcFuubkOk

By Joy Johnson, CNMT
Nuclear Medicine - Lead Technologist, Blanchard Valley Health System

Nuclear medicine testing is a branch of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactive materials, called radiopharmaceuticals, to provide information about the physiological function of tissues and organs, such as blood flow, metabolism, and biochemical processes. This can be particularly useful in diagnosing certain diseases, monitoring treatment responses, and assessing disease progression. Other imaging modalities like X-rays, CT scans, and MRI primarily provide structural images of the body.

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs containing radioactive isotopes. These isotopes emit gamma rays that are detected by specialized cameras. In contrast, other imaging modalities use external sources of energy (X-rays, magnetic fields, etc.) to create images. The amount of radiation used in nuclear medicine tests is considered safe for patients. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women are typically advised to avoid these tests unless absolutely necessary. ▶︎