By Sam Brauen
The outcome of the Homecoming Football game matched the setting: cold, windy and miserable. Delphos Jefferson made quick work of the Bluffton squad in a 50-7 dispatch to put a damper on the parade and attendant and escort festivities. Jefferson improved to 5-1 with the win while Bluffton dropped its second straight contest and sits at 4-2.
For the Pirate faithful that braved the elements, it was easy to see why the visiting Wildcats are 5-1 and in the top eight teams of Region 22. Boasting a backfield of Hunter Binkley (128 yards), Brenen Auer (100) and Mike Cline (65) the visitors roared out to a 35-0 halftime lead. Delphos won the battle of the trenches repeatedly, opening holes for the backs to burst through.
It took a total of five plays for Jefferson to score two touchdowns. Cline scored the first points on a 55 yard run up the left sideline. Auer went 43 yards untouched up the middle on the next Jefferson possession to make it 14-0 Jefferson just five minutes into the ball game.
As things began to look bleak for the Pirates, the offense came to life and marched down the field. Starting at their own 35 yard line, BHS passed over and around the Wildcats. Quarterback Mitchell Ault connected with Dakota Bricker three times on the drive for 25 yards but the highlight catch came from Kaleb Jefferson. The sophomore back out leapt a Wildcat defender along the right sideline and snagged the ball for a 23 yard gain. The drive came to an abrupt end when Ault’s pass intended for Joel Siefker in the corner of the end zone was picked off.
After the teams traded punts, the Wildcats scored on three straight drives to put the game away. First, Auer, just a freshman, scored from six yards out to cap an eight play drive. After another Pirate punt, the Wildcats showed a bit of versatility. After beginning the game with 24 consecutive running plays, quarterback Jace Stockwell threw two straight passes. The second covered 16 yards for the touchdown to make it 28-0. The final score of the half was another toss, a 43 yard bomb to Cline out of the backfield with 26 seconds left.
Second half
In the second half the rain fell harder and the clock ran faster. A running clock was instituted last season for second half leads of greater than 30 points meaning the only time the clock stops is on a change of possession or an injury. The Pirates got on the board just inside the fourth quarter with a nine play, 73 yard drive. The score came on a 10 yard pass from Ault to Sam Crisp to make it 44-7. The Wildcats scored one last touchdown on an 85 yard fumble return.
Stats
Jefferson dominated the statistics, out gaining Bluffton 364 to 197. Jefferson piled up 271 yards on the ground and 93 through the air. Stockwell was 4/4 in pass attempts on the evening with two touchdowns. BHS rushed for 99 yards and threw for 98. Jefferson was the leading rusher for the home squad, picking up 49 yards on six attempts. Dakota Bricker caught six passes for 50 yards to lead the receivers.
The path does not get easier for the Pirates moving forward. Friday, BHS will travel to Spencerville who is 6-0 and ranked at #4 in the state in the latest AP poll. The week after, Bluffton travels to Ada who also garnered a few votes in the latest ranking. At Spencerville, the Pirates will be looking to atone for a 60-20 defeat at the hands of the Bearcats last season.
Homecoming Note: Sami Fruchey was crowned Homecoming Queen. Classmate Misha Groman, Pirate lineman, was named King.
