Pirates Suffer Tough Road Loss Against Jefferson 48-20
By Bryan Kress
Dominating on the ground and in the first half, Delphos Jefferson gave Bluffton their first loss of the season with a decisive win at home on Sept. 13.
The Jefferson run game was near-unstoppable as they racked up 248 yards on the ground with six total rushing scores.
The Pirates tried to rally in the second half, but it was too little too late.
The first half was dominated by Jefferson, in particular Zavier Buzzard as he rushed for four touchdowns in the half including a 64-yard score in the first quarter to finish the half 27-0.
The Pirates got on the board in the third quarter with a three-yard run by quarterback Mitchell Ault to climb to 34-8 after an Ault to Robbie Stratton conversion.
Buzard, however, would find the endzone again on a 44-yard run to put the score at 41-8.
Bluffton picked up two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter with touchdown throws from Ault to Noah Stratton and Austin Bricker for 33 and 20 yards respectively.
Buzard rushed for an outstanding 223 yards and six scores on 23 carries. Besides his performance the rest of the Jefferson offense was held in check by the Pirate defense.
The bright spot for the game came from the play of Ault at quarterback. After another solid game, passing for 278 yards and two scores, he is showing he is capable of handling the starting job as he is helped out by a talented receiving core.
Austin Bricker led the receivers with five catches for 73 yards and Noah and Robbie Stratton had three catches each.
Bluffton will be at home Friday night against a solid Crestview (2-1) team.
